I can't remember exactly when I had this dream, only that it was during the period when I was recuperating at home after my hospitalisation. Unlike my wife, I almost always forget my dreams when I wake up from sleep. But I remembered this one and I have been thinking about it ever since. It was a simple dream - it was cold and dark except for a tiny spark of warm orange light in the distance. Although I could not see my immediate surroundings, it felt as if I was in a forest heading slowly toward the light. It felt as if I was sitting in something that was rolling smoothly on a winding track towards this light. All this was happening without any sound and in slow motion.
After awhile it seemed like I had stopped moving and the light was moving towards me instead. Still a distance from the light, I realised that the light was Jesus seated on a throne with His nail pierced hands resting on his knees. Behind the throne were two winged-creatures. At that point it occurred to me that I was perhaps leaving this present life and headed towards the next life. But it wasn't fearful at all. Instead it felt like I was reaching my destination. I recall making sense of it in my dream - that after all the twist and turns in life, this is all that really matters. And then I woke up.
I do believe God speaks through dreams and it has certainly happened to me once before many years ago. In that case, I received a confirmation of what the dream meant from an independent source right after I woke up. Even as I write this paragraph, I just thought about a message I received out of the blue from an ex-colleague about 2 weeks back. This was some time after I had my dream, so it hadn't occurred to me that they may be related until now. It reads:
"The Lord prompted me to pray for you. Know that He is near and always there to lean on. His grace is sufficient. Amen... I was reading Philippians and God is wonderful. He reminds me that salvation wrought by self has nothing to glory about. But only his grace freely given to mankind is priceless and gives all glory to Him. Verses in chapter 4 urge us to remember to be joyful because the evil one comes to steal, kill and destroy our joy in Jesus. Let our mindfulness be evident to all. Victory belongs to the Lord. Be encouraged Brother." It is followed by the verses from Philippians 4:4-7.
Is it related? Not sure. There are some parallels. Am I going to be up against something beyond my human abilities yet again? I don't really want to. Too much of that over the last couple of years. But even so, I wish to encourage anyone out there who is dealing with something that seems difficult or unbearable - that Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (John 10:11). Whatever it is that you feel that you cannot handle, I hope and pray that you will receive "the peace of God that surpasses all understanding". Whether you are dealing with an illness or with bullies; anxiety or emptiness about the future; losing someone you love or losing the love from someone; being victimised or marginalised; feeling alone or feeling overwhelmed. Cast away your fears and do not let yourself be heavy laden. Like David who removed the heavy armour that got in his way, draw on God's strength as you face your Goliath.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
~ Philippians 4: 4-7
Yesterday we attended my second son's first primary school choir performance. I have really been looking forward to it the whole month. But this almost didn't happen. You may recall back last year, in Father and Son I talked about how he refused to participate in a programme the school selected him for. This was it - the choir.
So it was apt that they started the evening with "It is Good to Give Thanks to the Lord". As I sat there with my family, I really do have a lot to thank God for. Thankful that he was enjoying himself on stage, thankful that his elder brother prioritised the concert over a class gathering, and thankful that I made it through the last couple of months. The choir followed on with "Take These Wings". I cant pronounce Steve Kupferschmid and have never heard of Don Besig, but what a uplifting song about the wonderful gift of life, whether you are at the beginning of it or at the end.
Songs from diverse genre followed including "Sing" by the Carpenters, Rodgers and Hammerstein's "My Favourite Things", Panis Angelicus which means Bread of Angels in Latin, and "Count on Me" by Bruno Mars. Somewhere in the middle, a little girl, I think from Primary 2, called Faith gave a solo performance of "Blessing" by Laura Story". Through the song, the girl reminded the audience that maybe the "trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise". The gift of child-like innocent faith in truly a blessing.
It was such an enjoyable evening. I am amazed how kids so young can put on such a great show. And there is something about watching your kid from afar giving his best and loving the moment, especially when he is in his smart white shirt and bow tie. Maybe it is seeing him take the wings and learning to fly.
I found a sparrow lying on the ground
Her life, I knew, would soon be at an end
I knelt before her as she made a sound
And listened as she said, 'My friend...
Chorus:
Take these wings and learn to fly
To the highest mountain in the sky
Take these eyes and learn to see
All the things so dear to me.
Take this song and learn to sing
Fill your hearts with all the joy of spring
Take this heart and set it free
Let it fly beyond the sea.'
I found another sparrow on the sand
A tiny bird whose life had just begun
I picked him up and held him in my hand
I smiled at him and said, 'My son...
~ Take These Wings, Steve Kupferschmid & Don Besig
