As I lay sleeping the other night, a most unusual, but interesting dream occurred. I dreamed that I was in a foot race; a marathon with different checkpoints along the way.
The course was challenging, with up and down hills in unfamiliar terrain. Each runner had to find directional signs that pointed the way to the next checkpoint on the way to the finish line. The signs were dusty, but the lettering and words were clear and concise if only the runners would open their eyes and take the time to read them.
Several of the competitors were having trouble, because they were looking in the wrong places for direction; many of them with heads down; not astute. I was determined not to lose sight of the all-important signs that meant success or defeat depending upon one’s resolve to locate and read the words that were in clear view.
As for me, I was on course and my bearings true, because I knew the signs were placed there for my benefit.
When I was leaving the latest checkpoint, I looked up a steep embankment and saw a group of runners heading in the wrong direction. I yelled at them and waived my hands above my head exclaiming, “This way; this way! You’re going the wrong way!” to no avail.
I then proceeded up the hill to the next checkpoint, which was in the opposite direction that the other runners were headed; a sign was there to point the way, but they were too busy visiting with each other and looking the wrong way to notice.
The climb was exhausting, but I continued on; determined to finish the course. This checkpoint resembled a school setting. When I entered the designated door I saw the proctor standing at the front of the room. In my dream he was a substitute teacher; the fulltime, head instructor was not present.
The master had put this person in charge, because he was a family member. He had complete confidence that the substitute would provide the necessary information to all runners to help them finish the course.
Each checkpoint had specific things that all participants had to do before continuing the race. I asked the one in charge what it was that he wanted me to do. He said, “Write a story about your journey.” I quickly responded, “The length or breadth of the course?” He replied, “The breadth, whether it is narrow or wide.”
I peered around the room and saw several tables butted end to end that were covered with stacks of newspapers and literature of every kind. I was able to find a couple of sheets having blank areas to write my story on before heading to the next checkpoint; always mindful of the other runners and how many were coming into the room, which were none. “Where are they; lost?” I muttered to myself.
The first pen I found was empty of ink; as was the second and third. This was an indication that there had been runners there before me. Pressure was building, because of my inability to find something to write with; I kept searching.
Under some literature there it was; another ink pen. It was as if some entity had tried to hide it from me; but why? I scribbled on my hand until the tip warmed up and the ink began to flow.
I titled my story, “The Journey.” As I began to write, I remember asking God if He ever took vacations. In my dream I heard Him respond with, “No. I’m always helping people get out of trouble.” I told Him that I was on a trip, but didn’t know which way to go; the narrow way or the broad way.
God answered, “Those that take the broad way are fooling themselves and lack wisdom. Their judgment is impaired, because of disobedience.” I waited for His comment regarding the narrow way when suddenly, without warning, an annoying little girl intentionally distracted my attention from writing the story and what God was saying.
She was impulsive, rude, and kept getting in my face; making a nuisance of herself. I resisted her antics and moved to another table across the room; one that was higher above the floor than the rest. I thought I would be out of her reach, but a short time later she continued with her tricks and naughty behavior.
She jumped atop the table next to the one I was at and began disturbing me again with her creepy conduct. I looked at her eye to eye and threatened that I was going to tell her father if she didn’t stop what she was doing. She quickly responded in a hateful voice, “Oh, in that case I’ll do what I want!” She then kicked at me in total rebellion. The dream was becoming more intense.
I realized in an instant that instead of threatening her, I should have taken action and involved her father immediately. I thought, “Talk is cheap; action speaks louder than words.” Her father would have taken care of the problem had I called him. It was then I awoke.
I quickly got out of bed and hurried to my office at the front of the house and began to recall my dream and type the essence of its content before I forgot. I then left the computer and began my morning shower; the dream still burning in my mind. Clarity of the dream was revealed as I meditated upon each incident.
Who was the little girl? She was the devil. Who was her dad? He was God the Father. Why wasn’t she afraid of Him? She was, but I told her that I was going to tell her father, rather than calling him that moment. I was trying to scar her away instead of making a quick call to him. Prayer works when we take action and do it.
She was bluffing; acting tough just as Satan always does. Her antagonistic, disobedient ways were like the roar of a lion with no teeth. She knew the power that the father represented, which was full authority. She knew her limitations in his presence; just like the devil knows his restrictions and boundaries, because God always has the final say.
(1 Peter 5:8), “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
As far as the race…I believe it was the race that every person endures from birth to death. Whether they finish the course depends on them. It is not without ups and downs and challenges along the course. Just as the directional signs in the dream pointed the way, finding direction to complete the race comes through reading the Bible.
I look around me and see many people heading in the wrong direction, because their heads are bent low under the burdens they carry; not able to see even when one is waving their hands and shouting at the top of their lungs, “This way; this way! You’re going the wrong way!”
They are so hell-bent on pursuing their own agendas that the race becomes secondary and unimportant, which is the reason no one was entering the door at the one checkpoint.
The lack of writing material and pens represented a scripture in the Bible pertaining to the law of God. No one should add to or subtract from God’s Word. It will stand the test of time until all prophesies have come to pass, and heaven and earth are destroyed.
(Deuteronomy 4:2), “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.”
(Matthew 5:18), “For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”
My writing in the dream, “The Journey,” expresses the most important point of the dream. The path we choose determines the final destination of our journey.
(Matthew 7:13-14) “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.” vs.14 “Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
As Christians, we endeavor to do our part to influence and persuade others regarding the things of God; to show them the way to Jesus who is the checkpoint of life. God entrusts us to provide words of encouragement and support to others in the race.
The proctor in charge was a member of the family of God; speaking on behalf of the Lord our Master, because He commanded us to go into the world and preach the gospel. The proctor could have been any born-again Believer filling the spot for God—His mouthpiece; His hand outstretched.
The specific things that had to be done at each checkpoint represented the Ten Commandments that Believers must learn and abide by, as they continue the race to the finish line.
The checkpoints represented church services where God-fearing pastors and the testimony of other Christians share God’s good news; giving insight of what is needed on the journey to heaven.
(Hebrews 10:23-25), “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” vs.24 “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,” vs.25 “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
The directional signs represented Bibles that collect dust on the shelves of many homes, while the members of those homes look elsewhere for direction. But the faithful followers of Christ read their Bibles; God’s Word, which is alive and sharper than any two-edged sword—spiritually discerned—the bread of life.
I believe that God was emphasizing, in the dream, the need to run the race with diligence; having a made up mind to follow the signs; that life is a race and those that pay attention to detail, while maintaining the wherewithal to remain attentive and aware of their surroundings, will finish the course if they stay strong and do not allow Satan to distract them from the finish line ahead.
(2 Timothy 4:7-8), “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” vs.8 “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
Written by,
Papa Boyd
