Hawai'i Dream

It was during the first season in Uganda. The year? 2018. The month? Maybe November. Looking up from the village of Nyakiana I was left empty. "God I have been praying and asking you what is next. You have been quiet. This is not like You. There are a few months left here in Uganda and I am asking you where should I go?" Reasoning to myself there had been a shower of dreams of Hawaii, this very well could be the Lord speaking to me.

"Are we going to Hawaii? If so, please make it clear."

A few days later, another dream of Hawaii came.

In my spirit I knew I was in Hawaii. The sun fading, the fruitful forest behind, and the sun-kissed sandy shores under my feet. Peering towards the deep waters there was something that caught my eye and steered my heart. There it was gently floating on the water behind the waves rolling in. A large black plastic bag.

With a moment of thought, I jumped in the waters and started swimming stroking my arms through the water. With each stroke the wants added one upon another with a want to reach the bag. While swimming the waves smashed me in the face and the battle persisted. With these waves, there was no ground to me made. In a video game like moment, I was back on the shoes. I gave in to another attempt to reach the bag and open up to what was inside.

In this attempt, yet again the waves continued to smash against me pulling me back to the shores. The video game like resetting moment happened again and there I was jumping in the water for the third time. The waves in comparison to the waves from prior were exceedingly more massive. In my mind I considered... if I could not swim through the waves before, how could I swim through these? Reluctantly broken, I seized the opportunity of humility and gave into the pull of the shores.

In a moment I was taken to the heart of the island. Friends and joy surrounded the atmosphere. Left with a deep breath and sitting still a pleasant peace lavished me. I looked at the joyful bundle of friends that sat there. I was caught up in a glance above the island looking at all of the lush vegetation of green scenery that unfolded beneath me. Then I woke up.

A friend of mine drew this picture. 

The days that followed developed a curiosity that brewed in my heart. So, I asked the Lord to interpret the dream by answering two questions. The first question, "What is the meaning of the dream?" And the second question was, "What was in the bag?" The questions were instantly answered while asking Him.

“Lord, what is the meaning of the dream?”

His pithy response came, "Don't fight the waves."

"God what was in the bag? Was it money, a job, a wife, what was it?"

The answer was a nail in my heart. "Jarid, it was garbage."

With a heart of humility, I honestly and soberly took in and acknowledged what the Lord fed me.

Oh Lord may I not look to my selfish ambitions, nor depend on man's ways. For your ways are not my ways, nor are my thoughts your thoughts. You have painted the story of my life and given the privilege for me to serve others. You have opened the door to administer the Gospel and have put your wings over me. May those who have found difficulty in faith of Your Word, be strengthened in faith as the enemy is crushed. Thank You Father God for the simple and complete relationship restored through Your Son Jesus. May He alone be glorified. Amen!

 

(2 months after that dream I was living in Hawaii. There is a section in the blog that tells the transformative season of the time in Kona, Hawaii. Here are some pictures.)

The Crew!!!

 

Baam, Bennedict, and I washing dishes! :D