In this dream, I was in a room where a group of people were gathered together. The Lord had given me a specific message on what to share with those present. It was nearing the time to finish the meeting and people were distracted, but God made it clear to tell the people what he said. I took the microphone in my hand, but I saw many less attentive towards anything I could have spoken at that moment, therefore, I didn't speak. Without conveying the Lord’s message, I ended the gathering with prayer.

End of dream.

I knew upon waking up that God was using this dream to teach and instruct me. I continue to learn many lessons from this one dream.

1.   It’s important that I don’t operate with my emotions. Don’t go by what I see with my eyes. How I view man should not dictate how I minister to people.  I am to obey God just like Abraham did. “The Lord said to Abraham, go …” Genesis 12:1-4 Where there is obedience there are miracles, provision, and more. Obedience is greater than sacrifice. I Samuel 15:22-24

2.   Don't take myself so seriously. It’s not about me, it’s about God. I need to see beyond myself. It doesn't matter what people think about me. I should not concern myself how others take a Word of the Lord after I’ve been obedient to give it.

3.   This dream helps me to recognize how I let the devil intimidate me. The enemy shot negative thoughts into my mind and I wasted my time thinking of ways to be silent and because of it, I listened to the enemy’s voice, not God’s.

Though I have many examples of how I can improve my obedience to the Lord, let me give one. It is an example where God used a dream in the night to reinforce what he was teaching me in the day.

I recently went to the grocery store. As I stood in line at the billing counter, there was a man in front of me who walked with a limp and was using crutches. I knew he needed help to put his groceries on the counter, but I was too scared to offer my help. I was afraid he would yell at me.

The reason for me to think this way is due to past experiences when I’ve tried to help others. A few (very very few) have been cranky and because of it, I was intimidated as to what the possible outcome would be. Like the dream, the Holy Spirit kept nudging me to do what I could.

I was also scared because I didn’t know the language and if he misunderstood me I wouldn't be able to explain myself and would make matters worse. This added to my hesitation and fear and by the time I processed all of my anxieties to help this man, he had done it by himself. I felt terrible I had done nothing.

I repeatedly ask God to help me to not do things like this again. The Lord lovingly gave me a dream so that I will continue to pay attention and listen to his still small voice.

The outcome to follow through was to help this man. The enemy never wants me to help another person, therefore, even if the gentlemen would have been upset, I would have walked away knowing I obeyed the Lord, opposed to feeling guilty and needing to repent. I should have at least offered.

It is also helpful to have the mindset to give the individual the opportunity to say yes or no when the Lord nudges me to do something kind for others. Just think how blessed that man might have been had I not expended so much energy thinking about my own feelings and simply picked up an item and placed in on the counter? I’ll never know.

On the flip side, I have disobeyed God when I have said “yes” to people and “no” to him. Most often those “yes’s” to people are for good, but God has reasons that I don’t always understand. Some times it’s simply to rest in him. Other times it’s because he wants another person to be obedient and help them.

Teresa writes in her book, Submerged Into the Presence of God, that one of the biggest barriers to saying yes to people and events is because she doesn’t want to let them down. At first it doesn’t look like she’s saying no to God, but when she’s too busy to spend time with him, she’s guilty of doing exactly that. She writes, “I don’t want to let other people down, but how often do I let God down? At times, I let others down, but the reality is I let God down far more often.” p.74

A servant does what his master tells him, not the other way around. “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24

Those times I've obeyed God he has worked wonders. For now, he is asking me to see beyond myself, my insecurities, set healthy boundaries, and listen and obey. Love God, love people, do for others, but by serving Christ.

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