I Woke Up

God is such a good and caring Father. A couple of weeks ago, we had some 'firsts' after Mom's passing, with Mom and Dad's anniversary and Dad's birthday without her. It was tough and I had to prepare myself mentally and emotionally for those two days. But in between those days, I had a dream. It was so vivid and brought me so much peace, strength, and joy -- I believe it was from the Lord. I still get excited when I think back on that dream.

In this dream, we were sitting at a church conference. It was my family, our church family, and some other Christians from around Newfoundland in attendance. Dad was sitting in the front row with an empty seat by his side. The seat was empty for the entire first day of the conference and the atmosphere in that room was very subdued -- like everyone was just trying to make it through the day. On the second day of the conference, the chair was still empty next to Dad. The atmosphere seemed the same at first. But then all of a sudden, during a time of worship, Mom walked in and sat by Dad's side. The church just exploded in excitement. Mom looked radiant, happy, and healthy. She was dressed in her signature beige suit, and looked so refreshed. We asked her what happened... how did she get to the conference? She just said so emphatically, "I woke up!" The church started to cheer and just began to worship and praise like never before. It was electtifying in the dream! And then...I woke up.

I awoke with that dream so vividly playing out in my mind. It made me so happy. But more than that, I felt the Lord was trying to share something with me. For one, I believe the Lord was saying that there is not much more time left on this earth. Jesus promised us that He is coming back for His children and I believe His coming is very soon. Mom will soon 'wake up' and rise with the saints, and we who are alive and serve the Lord will meet her in the air. What a glorious reunion that will be!

I also felt the Lord saying that it is time to wake up as a people of God. Time to wake up to a vibrant relationship with Jesus. Time to wake up to living out our faith. It's time to start believing what we preach, and we will see it happen in our lives! Time to wake up to the needs of all those around us. People are hurting, broken, desolate, lonely... they need the light of the Lord to shine in their lives to dispel the darkness. We are called to be salt and light in this world -- let's wake up to change this world for the glory of God!

It's also a call for all those who are away from the Lord to wake up. You may be under conviction right now, you may be feeling miserable and know you need to change. Don't look at it as a difficult task... just surrender every hurt, need, and sin to the Saviour of the world. He will receive you with loving arms and carry the weight and cares of this life for you.

I believe there is a giant sleeping in the world right now. The church of God, the believers, have battled so severely in the past while. Hurts from within, and hurts from without. Sometimes it is so hard to see the positives and stay hopeful and expectant. But, we cannot sleep in this hour. We need to continue to press through the pressures, press through the pain, and victory will come. I am excited for what waits for us around the corner! I have never experienced any time like this in my life before with so many battles and disappointments, but our great God has never changed! We may not see breakthrough yet, but let's wake up and look with eyes of faith at the coming victory!

Thank you, Lord, and thank you, Mom. Thank you, Mom, for encouraging us to hold on to Jesus. There were many times I wanted to run far away from ministry and Newfoundland, but, although Mom felt the pressure too, she always encouraged us to stick it out and press through to see a move of God.

Through the pain, through the hurt, through the questions and uncertainty, there is a light on the horizon. The night will give way to the morning. The sun will rise and with that a sleeping giant in this world will wake up. We will see what we have longed to see -- a move of God unprecedented in this earth just before the Lord comes in glory.

Thank you, Lord, for that dream. I am listening. I hear You. And, I declare to You today that "I woke up"!