 | In a deep sleep, I imagined sounds too near my tent, like brushing against its sides. I began to ask myself if it could be a bear, or perhaps a man with dubious intent. |
On occasion I like to camp alone, a time when I can pray and worship immersed in nature. Praise isn't something I'm supposed to do, rather, it's something I can't help myself from doing, like gasping at a glorious sunrise. The more I experience God in His goodness, sustaining me, even rescuing me, the more amazed I become by Him.
Last night I worshipped under the stars nestled by a creek from my tiny Mtn Glo Tent, and pondered King Solomon. We all remember how God offered Solomon anything, and he chose wisdom, greatly pleasing God. What is easy to forget however, is that the entire exchange happened in a dream. And yet it was real. As I drifted to sleep, I asked Holy Spirit if He would speak to me that night in a dream as well, and if I too could choose wisely in a way that would honor Him.
Last night I worshipped under the stars nestled by a creek from my tiny Mtn Glo Tent, and pondered King Solomon. We all remember how God offered Solomon anything, and he chose wisdom, greatly pleasing God. What is easy to forget however, is that the entire exchange happened in a dream. And yet it was real. As I drifted to sleep, I asked Holy Spirit if He would speak to me that night in a dream as well, and if I too could choose wisely in a way that would honor Him.
My freeze dried food was in my backpack, leaning into the zippered screen door covered by the rain fly. In a deep sleep, I imagined sounds too near my tent, like brushing against its sides. I began to ask myself if it could be a bear, or perhaps a man with dubious intent.
Then I felt pressure along my side, as though something large had nuzzled against the tent wall, accompanied again by the swooshing sound against the nylon. I thought for a second perhaps it's my husband who has found me; he was at a men's retreat on the main campus nearby. Immediately I realized he would never be walking through these woods at night.
Then I remembered that I had invited Holy Spirit to commune with me, for God's presence to be tangible. So I smiled, rolled over and melted into an awareness of Him and his peace. No fear. In the face of very plausible concern, I quickly re-entered the deepest level of sleep.
So this morning I packed my tent and headed back to the ranch. The director casually mentioned they had found evidence of a bear last night at the far end of the camp, down by the creek. I had to laugh.
It was a dream, and yet it was real. Best of all, like Solomon, in my sleep I chose well. And God respects the choices we make while we are dreaming.
When faced with very real concern when awake, may we all choose Him, recognizing how incredibly near He truly is.
Then I felt pressure along my side, as though something large had nuzzled against the tent wall, accompanied again by the swooshing sound against the nylon. I thought for a second perhaps it's my husband who has found me; he was at a men's retreat on the main campus nearby. Immediately I realized he would never be walking through these woods at night.
Then I remembered that I had invited Holy Spirit to commune with me, for God's presence to be tangible. So I smiled, rolled over and melted into an awareness of Him and his peace. No fear. In the face of very plausible concern, I quickly re-entered the deepest level of sleep.
So this morning I packed my tent and headed back to the ranch. The director casually mentioned they had found evidence of a bear last night at the far end of the camp, down by the creek. I had to laugh.
It was a dream, and yet it was real. Best of all, like Solomon, in my sleep I chose well. And God respects the choices we make while we are dreaming.
When faced with very real concern when awake, may we all choose Him, recognizing how incredibly near He truly is.
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