Years ago, someone told me of a vision that he saw of me. He saw me climbing up this big cliff and then jumping off it into the water, and then swimming back to shore only to climb up and repeat the whole process again and again. He then spoke in a slightly negative way as he attempted to interpret this vision.
I began to clearly see that vision on that day, and in all the years that have followed, I still frequently see that very same vision, but over time I realized that his interpretation was incorrect.
He was saying that I was jumping out into the Lord and then deciding to stop and head back to shore and then deciding to go with God again, and then changing my mind…..You get the drift. It was a largely negative interpretation.
For years, I felt condemnation because of that interpretation and would repeatedly go before God and ask Him for help to stay “all in” with Him. Never realizing that I was most definitely already “all in” and only going further every day.
Then one day, God spoke to me about that vision.
He told me that He was actually teaching me to fly! I kept jumping out and stretching my wings and trying to fly. (Flying has been a strong theme in my walk with the Lord) There was actually no condemnation in that vision, only encouragement to keep on jumping off the edge! The fact that I kept swimming back to the shore and climbing again was a testimony to my perseverance. God was actually pleased with me!
And there was nothing like the day when I saw myself soar! Now whenever I see the vision I am actually flying!! In life I can see that in many areas where I used to struggle, I now approach boldly and without hindrance….I fly!
What I am trying to say today is, sometimes people will misinterpret our actions. Some people will think the worst about us so quickly. But even in those moments we can find Jesus. I could have decided to throw out that whole vision, but instead I pressed into it because I knew something about it was so true. God weeded out the part that shouldn’t have been spoken and released Himself into the scenario and now it has become such a welcome and encouraging vision to see.
Even this summer when I was leading worship for a group of teens, one girl (who had never heard the above story) said, “I see you running toward the edge of a cliff and without hesitation jumping straight off and then flying!” Isn’t God so good!! He will always find a way to speak to you and there is nothing He cannot redeem, if we give Him the opportunity.
Have there been times that you felt misunderstood? Have you received a word from someone and felt peppered with discouragement? I challenge you to take that to the Lord this morning. Take a minute and let forgiveness wash over you so you can clearly see God move in that place.
God, You are the healer, come in and heal my heart from the wounds of misunderstanding. Heal me from all discouragement that has ever been spoken over my life. Help me to become a clear communicator so others can more clearly see my motives, and if there is any unpleasant way inside of me, please remove it. I am open to Your hand in my life Abba. I am Yours. In Jesus name, Amen.
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him. Psalm 28:7
365 Days in the Presence 