Flavored Yogurt Dream
A pastor was giving me flavored yogurt and I remember thinking I was still hungry. In my dream, I got an interpretation from the Lord saying it's not enough, you have to read more of God’s Word in order to keep yourself strong in the spirit. End of dream.
Interpretation:
This is a good example of how objects in dreams are symbolic and may make sense only to the dreamer. This dream was a personal and loving word of correction from the Lord and one to help me draw closer to him.
When I woke up, the Holy Spirit made it abundantly clear what the spiritual lessons and purpose of this dream was for. I knew immediately that the pastor and yogurt were specific to my daily walk with Christ.
Even though yogurt is known to be a portion of healthy food, I knew in my spirit what the pastor gave me wasn’t for my well-being. I watch a lot of Christian sermon videos. Like yogurt, the sermons are good, but God was saying, those videos and sermons shouldn't replace my place in your life and day. In essence, “you’re watching too many of them.”
God was emphasizing that in order for me to remain spiritually healthy, I have to live a life in his presence and in his word and I can’t rely on the nourishment of others. It ’s not just about hearing about the Bible but reading it. It’s devouring it, meditating on it, and studying it for myself. Seeking nourishment for spiritual growth is my time with my God.
It’s okay to watch sermons, but more of my time should be spent hearing God directly. The sermons and messages pastors and teachers provide are supplemental “food” and should not be the “main course” to grow in spiritual strength.
“But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God’.” Matthew 4:4
It was after this dream when the Holy Spirit helped me to think through Matthew 4:4 in a different way. In this verse, the Word is being compared to bread and the Holy Spirit whispered and asked me: “Word is essential. If you are not feeding yourself with the Word there must be something else that's filling you. What is it?”
I was stunned by this question. The Holy Spirit continued to impress upon my spirit the importance of feeding myself, but what is it that's keeping me “full” other than the “bread of life?” He showed me. Let me explain:
Sometimes we replace the word of God with a pastor's prophecy, a friend's suggestions, our own plans and strategies, the media, Google, and so on. Replace can simply mean taking the advice of another over God’s.
It’s similar to the story of the prodigal son. He left his father because he wanted to spend his blessing and resources his way. Shortly after leaving his father’s presence, he ran out of money. He spent all he had and when the money was gone, “The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him.” Luke 15:15
There are many healthy food options to remain physically fit and strong. There are a vast amount of Christian resources and tools for educating and growing in spiritual wisdom to building up your spiritual bulk for ministry. But our souls will never be satisfied by substituting the original and genuine source of our faith. We must receive directly from the Bread of Life, Jesus himself.
The only thing that can keep us alive is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and hearing and knowing God through his Word.
There are two things that are important: bread for our physical body and God’s word for our spirit. When we stop eating food, the physical body slowly deteriorates. It is the same with spiritual food. We may be physically alive, but without proper spiritual food (straight from God) our spiritual life slowly collapses and yet we don't really feel alive.
I am so thankful to God for speaking to me in the night to show me what I needed to change in my life to draw closer to him.
“Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart— they do no wrong but follow his ways. How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors. My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. Never take your word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws. I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.”
Psalm 119:2-3, 9, 16, 24, 28, 43, 45, 50 NIV
“There are no substitutes to knowing God other than through prayer. Taking in “just enough” of God limits my intake of His presence and the outcome of His power.” (T. Odden, Beautiful Dreamer: Dreamers - God’s Personal Navigation System)
