Unity in the Spirit
Hi Friends,
I wanted to let you know that it’s been a splash down not a crash landing! In my post called a “Fish Out of Water,” I was experiencing, an uneasiness, not knowing where God would have me call “home.” I was really the fish out of water, not feeling that I was where I belonged. But God has spoken to me, and even though I have no idea what the future may hold, I know that now, I am where I am supposed to be.
I am sharing today about five visions, that were given on two separate days. The first two visions are meant to be understood together. I am truly amazed by God. Sometimes He is very direct, and to the point. This is one of those times.
The Vision I
First I saw an upright vacuum cleaner with a broom jammed down its center. The dustpan and bristles were facing upward, well above the handle of the vacuum. There was a woman struggling to pull the broom out of the vacuum. After being unsuccessful, she attempted to push it back down to where it was originally stuck.
Then I saw a man’s foot, pointed directly at me, as if to say, “Look at my foot.” It was bare, without socks or shoes.
This is what I believe the vision means.
The Vacuum and Broom
I believe the woman is myself. I am struggling to detach the broom from the upright vacuum, because neither the broom nor the vacuum can be utilized in this fashion. The vacuum, represents my desire to have order. I would like to “clean house.” Since I am a minimalist in its truest sense, I want to rid myself of anything that does not have purpose, or perform a useful function. I only want the bare minimum of objects in my life. Why have six knives when all you need are two? Why have a closet full of clothes when you only need the items that you wear in a 8-10 day period?
My minimalist manner, comes from a very pragmatic personality. I am not sentimental, I do not want pictures on the walls or furniture that crowds the open spaces. In a word, open empty space is by far more valuable than the things which typically occupy those spaces. So for me the vacuum represents a desire to have order and peace. The broom, is similar, but it is used to sweep out the dirt, the hindrances and obstacles that clutter.
The woman was struggling with the vacuum and broom. What I have been really struggling with is a decision - I have been seeking God for a church home. I feel very blessed, that the Lord never leaves us nor forsakes us. This vision is the confirmation that I needed to know where I was to settle. Let me explain:
The Barefoot
The foot represents the pastor of the church, where I have attended the last several weeks. The foot represents his walk with the Lord. If you remember, when Jesus washed the disciples feet, Peter objected. He was embarrassed on behalf of the Lord. Peter felt that it was beneath the Lord’s status as teacher and leader, to subordinate himself and do what only a servant was expected to do. He always, strongly identified with Jesus, so he said, “No, you shall never wash my feet.”
But Jesus wanted to demonstrate that the kingdom of God is upside down and backwards to the ways of man. What the Lord values, would never occur to the natural man. Jesus values humility. “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves, will be exalted.” Matthew 23:12 So Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” John 13:8
Jesus was demonstrating how we are to serve one another. “Jesus said, I set before you an example, you should do likewise.” John 13:15 By the barefoot in the vision, God was showing me the heart of the pastor. His heart was that of a servant leader. The barefoot showed me that he is a humble man, a true follower of Jesus. He is a man of integrity and without pretense, or duplicity. The Lord was showing me that with him, there is nothing hidden. There are no ulterior motives. What you see is what you get.
God was saying to me through these two visions, (the vacuum and the foot), “Stop struggling in this decision. He is a true man of God. Join him and stop searching - this is where you belong.”
What a wonderful God we serve! He speaks to us in many ways. “If you seek me, you will find me, if you seek me with all your heart!” Jeremiah 29:13
Yet, the enemy of our souls, wants to cause doubt, fear, confusion, and unrest. So Monday morning this week, the enemy was beginning to introduce doubt into my thoughts. I began to think of the long drive from my town to church. Yet I knew that I heard from the Lord. God wants us to take authority over our thoughts, and thoughts that the enemy plants in our minds. “Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5
That Monday morning, the Lord encouraged me with this:
“My Utmost for His Highest”, “Keep Recognizing Jesus,” June 18
If you are truly recognizing your Lord, you have no business being concerned about how and where He engineers your circumstances….Let your actual circumstances be what they may, but keep recognizing Jesus, maintaining complete reliance upon Him….You do not know when His voice will come to you, but whenever the realization of God comes, even in the faintest way imaginable, be determined to recklessly abandon yourself, surrendering everything to Him…. being willing to risk your all.
Once more, Jesus puts our hearts at ease, and asks us to stay the course. And we must say, “Yes Lord!”
The Vision II
My prayer partners and I were having our usual morning prayer, when I received this vision. We moved into a time of prayer for physical and inner healing. The worship was sweet, the prayer was active and the Holy Spirit was directing. As we finished praying for them, there came a calm, then I received two more visions.
First, I saw a large metal serving spoon covered in salad dressing made of oil, vinegar and spices. It was held in a hand and turned slightly so that the salad dressing was running off the spoon. This was a close up view, so that I could clearly see that the oil and vinegar and the suspended particles of spices were completely homogenized. There was no separation.
Next, I saw a large tree trunk which had been cut down. It’s branches were removed and the top and bottom of the tree were cleanly cut. The log was floating in the water, close to the shore. On the log, close to one end, was a white egret, standing with his back to me. The scene was peaceful; small waves lapped the shore.
Then, I saw a father holding his infant son. I did not see their faces, for they were facing away from me.
This is what I believe the vision means:
The Serving Spoon
At the time of the vision, we had just been praying for healing for two women. It was a focused time of prayer, a time of binding, loosing, and breaking ties. The Holy Spirit had liberty to move in this time of prayer. There was oneness of the Spirit and unity among all who were present.
The vision showed a salad dressing made of oil and vinegar. The oil generally refers to the Holy Spirit. The vinegar in this case would represent those of us who were present. A mixture of oil and vinegar, separates quickly, so it must be shaken before it is poured out. I believe God is showing us that as we were in prayer, we were in unity with each other and in harmony with the Holy Spirit. We had become one, or homogenized. “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:20-21
God wants us to know that unity in prayer pleases him. The vision of the entirely emulsified salad dressing, was showing us, that we were praying God’s perfect will in union with the Spirit. As the dressing ran off the spoon, I was reminded of Psalm 133. “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured out on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s head, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.” Psalm 133:1-3
When there is unity with the Holy Spirit, there is power to perform miracles. I believe that we will see the answers to our prayers. “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:19-20
The hand that held the spoon, and poured out the dressing, is God’s hand. As we pray, God pours out his Spirit. And we too, allow ourselves to be poured out, in love and devotion to him. “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near.” 2 Timothy 4:6
The spices, in the oil and vinegar, represent our prayers, and our worship which become a “pleasing aroma,” to the Lord. The sweet-smelling fragrance of Christ comes, when we have love for one another. “And walk in love, even as Christ also loved us, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance.” Ephesians 5:2
Even our prayers are like the gifts of support that encouraged Paul. “I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice pleasing to God.“ Philippians 4:18
So I believe that God was confirming his pleasure in our unity, and love for one another. He was pleased by our prayers. Thank you Jesus for your encouragement!
The Egret
Again this vision comes as a response to our prayers during our Saturday intercession. One of the ladies who I had prayed for earlier in the week for healing, told us that we didn’t need us to pray for her, because she believed that God was already going to heal her. She wanted to simply stand in faith and trust God for her healing. This vision came in response to her declaration of faith and trust in God. The Lord heard her prayer!
The calm lake represents the inner peace that our friend felt as she chose to trust the Lord. The white egret represents the Holy Spirit, watching over her and her circumstances. The log may represent the ailment or condition that needs to be healed in her body. But because it is not a standing tree, it is no longer alive. The tree has been cut off from its roots, and its branches have been removed. It is no longer a tree but a log, floating in the water. This log is under the feet of the egret. Her sickness or ailment is under the authority of the Holy Spirit. It is no longer viable, for its head and feet have been cut off. It reminds me of the fall of Goliath to David. Once Goliath had fallen, David took Goliath’s sword, cutoff his head, and held it up in victory!
So our friend is doing well to stand in faith, believing for her healing. For God is showing us that it is a done deal, for he is faithful. He keeps his promises!
Father and Son
I saw a father holding his infant son. I could not see their faces, but only the backs of their heads. I believe that the Father in the vision represents our heavenly Father. We, like Moses, cannot see his face. “But you may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live.” Exodus 33:20
The infant represents us, as believers, we are the children of God. The Father was carrying the child high next to his chest. God wants us to experience his tender care and love. He cares for us as a Father cares for his child, who is too young to walk, and cannot do for himself. The Lord carries us in our weaknesses, and provides the things we need. A tiny child responds to the love he receives from his father, by hugging, snuggling, or kissing. The Lord wants us to respond to him in love, with a trusting heart, and in committing our ways to him.
I don’t think there is a more wonderful way of showing love, than a hug. And little children give the best hugs. It is such a feeling of joy and true acceptance when a little guy places his tiny arms around your neck and gives a big hug.
Perhaps the Lord feels our “hugs” in the same way, every time we tell him, how much we love him.
Thank you Jesus for your tender mercies, your unfailing love and your promise of an eternity to spend with you!
God bless you all! Keep praying and seeking the Lord, because the time we spend in his presence is worth more than silver or gold. It is worth more than all the great big hugs we get from our children and grandchildren!
Be blessed and give someone you love a big hug today.
