The River's Flow

Let me preface what I am about to share by saying that I do not believe that every dream is a message from God. I realize that most are simply a part of the human process that is life, and many times dreams can be a result of the bean burrito with hot sauce we enjoyed just before bedtime. However, I do believe that there are times when God speaks to us through dreams. This is borne out through the scriptures.

I awoke last Saturday morning from one such dream. It was so real and its impact lasted throughout the next day or so. When I woke up, I immediately sensed the presence of God and heard a Word that He spoke into my spirit concerning what I had just experienced. Therefore, I believe this dream was prophetic.

As the dream began, I was about to go onto the platform at the church. The building was filled to capacity. There were the regular folks, as well as many visitors. I noticed wheelchairs, people on crutches, the blind, the lame, the deaf, the bound, and the needy.

Somehow, in the dream, I was aware that I had been through a time of intense prayer and fasting. I felt very close to God, and sensitive to His voice.

I was about to move onto the stage, when I heard God speak to me. He told me to call those who had needs to the altar. He instructed me to lay hands on those who came forward. I heard the voice of God plainly tell me, “Tell the people that when you lay hands upon them, they will instantly receive whatever their heart desires. I am in the midst of my people and I am going to perform the miraculous.”

As I made my way to the pulpit, there was a wonderful excitement in the air. People were worshipping and praising God. It seemed that the Spirit of the Lord was moving mightily already in the service. I moved to the microphone and announced what God had spoken. I told the congregation, “God is here to do a tremendous work. Come forward and when I lay hands on you, you are going to instantly receive whatever your heart desires.”

When the altar call given, however, only three people responded. I laid hands on the first two and, just as God had promised, they were instantly and miraculously healed by the power of God. I noticed that most others in the crowd were leaving. People were being pushed out in the same wheelchairs in which they had entered. The blind were being led out on the arm of another. Those in bondage were leaving, still bearing their burdens and chains. My heart was breaking.

I looked back down at the altar, and noticed one of our church council members Brother Ed Prewitt standing in front of me holding what appeared to be a couch cushion. Ed had tears in his eyes and a look of confusion on his face. I asked him what the cushion was for and he replied that one of the people had given him it to him on their way out of the church. They asked if Ed could have the pastor anoint the cushion for them in behalf of their need, somewhat like the way we anoint prayer cloths. They had told Ed that they had to meet family and could not stay for prayer.

Reluctantly, we anointed the cushion. Ed then reached around and picked up a pillow, which another member of the congregation had given him. They too had other business to attend and could not tarry for prayer, sending the pillow instead. One had a lunch appointment. One had business to mind. Another was heading for some recreation. Another just didn’t have time to wait and didn’t feel like waiting in line. Again, we anointed the proxy pillow.

By now, those who had joined me for prayer in the altar had recognized what was taking place and we all began to weep. One after another, Ed would present another cushion or pillow and we would pray. Each pillow represented someone else’s excuse for not being able to wait on God to meet their need. Everyone had other things to do that were far more pressing than receive from the hand of the Father. Our hearts were breaking, because we knew what God had promised, but the people were not interested.

Though I and the people around me prayed fervently for the needs of the people, we knew in our hearts that God could not perform the miracles so desperately needed because His order was not being followed. Yet, we continued to anoint more pillows and more cushions.

I awoke from my sleep. My face and pillow were wet with tears. The dream seemed so real to me. It impacted me greatly, even after I had awakened. I felt that God had something to say to me through this experience. So, as I lay in my bed, I began to pray. I asked, “Lord, what are you wanting to say to me? What do I need to understand about what you have just shown me? What does all this mean?”

It was as if God was just waiting for me to ask, because He immediately answered. The voice of God was unmistakable as He said to me, “Let my people know that I will not anoint their comfort! I will not bless them that are at ease in my kingdom. I will not take time for those who have no time for me.”

God revealed to me that the cushions and pillows represented comfort, idleness, and ease. The actions of the people spoke of the attitudes of many concerning the move of God. We know that God loves us and longs to bless, heal, and deliver us. We are poor, blind, lame, sick, cripple, bound, and broken. However, we seek our relief in everybody and everything but God. We are not diligent in our pursuit of God.

It has been nearly a week since the dream. I am still troubled by it. I want to examine my own life to be sure that Christ is my only priority. Then, as a pastor, I pray that my people will be available when God visits.