Not everyone dreams and remembers them, and I still haven't decided if they are more fortunate than those of us who do. If my dreams aren't about fire, they're about water. Both elements play out mysteries that act as analogies to navigate this life.
This past week I dreamt I jumped into a deep, dark pool where I thought I would never reach the bottom. Once I finally did, I pushed off and began to make the long ascent to the surface. I felt my lungs burn and water rush in as I neared the light. Once I was breathing again, did I realize the fear of where I had just been. The terror of limited air supply was nothing compared to what lurked in the shadows at the bottom.
We all find ourselves wrestling with the unknown from time to time. Whether it's a new job, the fate of a loved one, or dealing with political matters, we stumble through the dark, looking for something to hold onto or a way to shed light on where we are and where we might be going.
The great news is we have sourced light through the word of God to provide us with direction. The bad news is that we allow that light to dim with worry, fear, and doubt. Even the mightiest in faith waver from time to time. Faith is so much more a verb than a noun. It requires constant exercise and is riddled with imperfections.
Romans 8:31 says, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" This is a clear and powerful statement, but instead of focusing on the first part, we insist on meditating on the "who," we are sure is against us. In reality, the monsters we believe lurk in the dark is all in our imagination.
As someone who has recently learned this valuable lesson for the hundredth time, please be comforted in knowing that no matter what dark abyss you may find yourself in, know that the depths are murky with your fears, doubts, and worries. Push towards the light, trust that you will make it to that safe place again, and see our creator sitting there shaking his head, saying, "Oh ye, of little faith. Why did you doubt me?"
