God spoke to me in a dream
Job 33:15
“For God does speak- in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds.”
So many times in my life, I have heard people say, “God spoke to me.” I always walk away from conversations like that saying, “Wow, I want God to speak to me like that.” Let me let you in on a little secret, He is speaking to you! You are unique, and God wants to communicate with each of us in different ways. If He spoke to all of us in the same way, that would be no fun, and we wouldn’t learn very much. He speaks to all of us in many different ways.
Through His Word- 2 Timothy 3:16
Through His Son, Jesus Christ- Hebrews 1:1-2
Through Nature and God’s Creation- Romans 1:20
Through other believers- James 3:17
Through His Spirit- John 14:17, 1 Corinthians 3:16
Through Prayer- Romans 8:26-27
Over the last few months on The World Race I have been trying to distinguish my thoughts from the Lord’s thoughts. Like thinking is that the Lord talking to me or me just thinking it was Him. I have struggled a lot in my Christian walk with knowing how the Lord communicates to me. I just finished a devotional called, The Art of Listening Prayer by Seth Barnes. Man, that rocked my world, in a super good way. Everyday I just walked away with more questions about the Bible and super excited to dig deeper and find out more. In the devotional it asks you to list out ways the Lord has spoken to you. That made me really think…. He has spoken to me through opening and closing doors of opportunity, giving me great gut feelings about things, other people, scripture, etc. I have realized that I am so hungry to know more of God. I cannot live my life on my own, and how much I truly need Him.
So when I was in Rwanda, I didn’t buy a SIM card to have internet or communicate with people. I would go into town and use wifi about once a week. So there wasn’t too much to look at my phone at night. So I would read my Bible before falling asleep. I loved it, I couldn’t wait to get in bed at night to read more and more of my Bible before I went to sleep. So one night I was in a pretty deep sleep when I heard this voice say, “Catie Collins I want you to wake up and read Luke 14.” So I woke up still tired because it was the middle of the night and I was thinking what in the world, I’m sleeping you’re crazy. But then I did sit up in bed and read it. The beginning of the chapter is Jesus at a Pharisee’s house. He told them about the parable of healing on the Sabbath. Then He comes into the wedding feast to share a meal with them. In the verses 7-12, I think Jesus is talking about pride and humility in taking the lowest seat at the table. There is something wonderful in being content in whatever place God allows you to have. The Lord has been teaching me that in so many different situations; and that is really teaching me how to live being His hands and feet. Verse 11 says, “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” When we seek to take honor to ourselves, we will always be humbles- if not on earth, then for all of eternity. The promise of exaltation for the humble and humiliation for the proud is one ultimately fulfilled in eternity.
Later on in Luke 14 it talks about the cost of being a disciple. That really hit home with me. Jesus says in verse 27, “and whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” The word disciple simply means “learner”. Disciples must put Jesus first in all they do. Side note: (Also on my trip I have gotten really into listening to podcasts. Let me know if you need some recommendations.) So I have been listening to podcasts and reading articles trying to analyze my dreams. The question came up, does it become the normal to scroll through social media for two hours or spend time in prayer or reading the Bible. Well, yes off of the top of my head I would say yes I would rather spend more time with Jesus; but do we really do that? Or when we have a break in our day or are winding down for the night, check and see what everyone else is doing on social media or tv. I say wow am I really willing to take up my cross, and follow Jesus with everything I have. Just let that sink in, and ask yourself that question.
So three nights later, it was around 3:12am when I was in a deep sleep, I heard the same voice say, “Catie Collins I want you to wake up and read Matthew 10.” So I woke up, put my headlamp on and started to read it, still half asleep. This is the passage of Scripture when Jesus sends out the twelve disciples. Jesus tells them, “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim this message: “The Kingdom of Heaven has come near.” Heal those who are ill, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” I am out ministering to people on God’s divine appointment. I am out living my life showing people the awesome gift I have received, and the same God can do that for you. Later in verse 16 Jesus says, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as screwed as snakes and as innocent as doves.” I think He is reminding me that this road is not always going to be easy; but that everyday when I wake up I need to put on the full armor of God. There are going to be trials out there (schemes of the Devil), but the power of Jesus is so much more powerful.
Then two weeks later, we were at debrief, I asked the Lord to give me a word for the next few months. That word is REST. I have realized that I don’t really know how to rest. I have a hard time of just sitting still. So about 3 weeks later I kept waking up in the middle of the night at 3:30am and could not go back to sleep. So I would just lay there and try to fall back asleep; nothing, still wide awake. So then night after night after night I found myself waking up at 3:30am. So the Lord asked me to pray for an hour. I was like an hour?! That is so long, I am going to run out of things to say. So I did it, and it was awesome. The nights I woke up to pray for an hour, I felt more energized the next day. At that time of night, I heard the Lord so clearly. I think He kept waking up to get me with no distractions, with everyone else asleep, and quietness and stillness all around me. I have really learned about what true intimacy looks like with my Heavenly Father. There is so much more I have yet to grow in, but I am learning what it looks like to fully surrender my life to Jesus.
God wants all of you. What is distracting you from hearing from God? Are you letting a schedule rule your life? Are you in the habit of snoozing your alarm or getting out of bed and experiencing everything the day has in store? FULLY giving yourself to Jesus is so worth it. Yes there will still be trials in life, but I believe God puts us in situations to rely on Him for our strength.
A few tips I got from a devotional I just did is below:
Fight Your Enemy
-First, recognize the principle of shallow roots in Luke 8. Your sworn enemy, the devil, loves the tactic of allowing you to taste the abundant life Jesus promised and then, over time, to call it’s validity into question. “Did the Lord really speak to you?” He asks sarcastically. That is another reason why journaling is helpful. One way to fight your enemy is to review what God has said. If the Lord gave you a promise, then boldly pray it back to Him: “Lord, I thank you that you promised me:_____. I claim that promise today in Jesus’ name and ask that you activate it in my life. I renounce the lies of the enemy and stand on the truth of your word.”
Continue Your Discipline
If you haven’t started, guess what, today is a new day! Second, continue in your discipline of setting aside uninterrupted time to be with God. Remember, He is a jealous God. He doesn’t want to compete for your attention. When you meet with the Lord, ask Him your own questions and take time to patiently wait for His response.
Share It
Third, recognize that one of the best ways to grow is to share what God has shown you with others. Ask the Lord to show you who He would like to help you along this path. (yes, this journey is not easy, but share things and bring the darkness to light.)
Scripture Meditation
Keep up the practice on meditating on Scripture. The Word of God is Truth. Being able to speak scripture over dark situations is very helpful and powerful.
Ask The Lord
Remember to keep asking the Lord questions and waiting for His response. He enjoys conversations with you!
Blessings,
Catie Collins
