I Had a Dream…
Really, I had a dream. Not a hope for a better future, like Martin Luther King, Jr. had, this was a real dream last night. Usually I forget even a dream that wakes me within a few minutes, but this one stayed with me for hours so I decided to record it and see where it led. As I typed the meaning became clear.
The Dream
What Happened
I’m in my car at a stop light. I started daydreaming and my foot slipped off the brake. My car started rolling into the intersection. A quick scan of the intersection and I see that there was no one coming into the intersection so I decided just to go through the intersection. Out of the corner of my eye guess what I saw? Yep, a squad car. Once I cross the street I just parked the car. Of course he came. He asked for my license and registration. No other discussion. He wrote it up and showed it to me.
The “Non-Discussion”
At that point I thought about what to do. I could plead and cry. I could say I never had another ticket before. Still the policeman didn’t say a word. He didn’t ask why I did it. He already knew that I recognized I had done wrong as I parked the car and was already pulling out my license and registration. I quietly say to him that I never had a ticket before. He just pointed to the violation on the form and the consequence – which was a fine of $69. I broke the law and I had to pay. The reason – my foot slipping off the brake – or my spotless driving record of 40 years didn’t matter. I still broke the law.
The Interpretation
As I wrote down the dream, the meaning became clear: When we break the law of God, intentionally or an even unintentional slip as above, we are guilty of breaking the law. No amount of reasoning, begging or pleading will undo that. What we do next is what determines our future.
Thinking About It…
I woke up at the point of the dream where the policeman showed me the consequence for what I did. It is 5 hours later and I can’t get it out of my mind. I think God is asking what will you do next? In God’s Court I have two choices: confess my sin and allow Jesus in his Mercy to pay my fine or try to get it excused on my own. I could say it was unintentional. I could rehearse all my past goodness then beg to have the sin cancelled based on one of those reasons.
How the Most People Handle This
Most people would handle this in two ways when they appear before the judge hoping to get their traffic tickets forgiven. Either they will have some “explanation” of why it’s not really their fault or they will site past good behavior. If the ticket is forgiven, it’s usually a repentant, humble heart along with that clean record that sways the judge. But when we walk in arrogantly reciting some reasons why it’s not our fault, demanding that it be changed because we didn’t mean to do it, or just sighting our past good behavior the judge is unlikely to overturn the ticket.
My Decision
Today I pray for a humble, repentant heart. One that knows that sinning – intentional or not – is breaking the law of God and separates us from God. I am thankful that I have a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is willing to step up and take my sin along with its penalty IF humbly confess the sin and decide to turn away from doing it again. I also know that if I slip up again in the future that same Savior will hear my confession, forgive me, and take the penalty away again.
The Caveat
Notice I said slip up. Those who knowingly, willingly commit repeated sin Jesus said he will cut them off and erase their names from The Book of Life. This is different from slipping up.
Your Decision
What about you? What would you do? What is your decision today?
If You Are a Parent
If you are a mother, are you teaching your children there are Eternal consequences for sin? Having a good disciplinary plan that isn’t wishy-washy, doesn’t allow for excuses or human reasons to wash away sin but instead imitates the way God addresses sin will cause you to raise humble, responsible children knowing the penalty for their actions, the Forgiveness that comes from confession and repentance (turning away from sin) and the awesome love that follows that confession with a repentant heart. Are you raising your children to recognize they are responsible even for “mistakes” and how to make it right?
Where Do I Learn This?
Today I was reading in Proverbs 4 (for the 4th day of the month). Proverbs is written by Solomon, the son of King David. He is said to have been the wisest man who ever lived. The first few chapters of Proverbs talks about how Wisdom will guide us into making good decisions and true wisdom is found in the Word of God. Then it says to study the wisdom found in the Word to get understanding. Basically it’s saying to read the Word over and over, write down the nuggets you find in there and you will get wisdom and then the understanding on how to apply it. It also cautions us to read that wisdom repeatedly so we don’t forget it and go astray.
I never thought I’d ever blog about a dream. Certainly, it wasn’t in the list of items I wanted to cover on my blog. As I said, I don’t usually even remember my dreams. But this one had a message. I think I was supposed to remember it so I could share it with all of you.
Have a thoughtful day…
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