Like Water

How many of you can contain water? Maybe for a little while. Maybe small amounts in a water bottle, or larger quantities within a pool. But, as easily as you contained it, water can escape. I recently had a dream where water was getting in through the doors. There were three doors, and each time I walked past one, I would notice it was not completely closed. So I would close the door, and again, walk past it and see it slightly open again. After walking by each door twice, I saw a small puddle of water getting in. I woke up and wrote down the dream. It made no sense, so I just went about my day and forgot about it.

Until the following day when I sat in a jacuzzi (poor me) relaxing at the spa. The floor of the jacuzzi had a lounge chair design so I tried to lay back, but the water kept pushing me up. I gave up my efforts and sat near the edge. Then, the water jets kept splashing water up into my face. My first thought: This is annoying. My next thought: Who can contain water? And then I remembered the dream. Was God trying to send me a message here?

Interpretation

Although the bible has several examples of men having dreams, the point is usually not the dream itself. It is the interpretation; yet without interpretation, where is the value? Fast forward 24 hours, and I am sitting at my desk seeking out a meaning to this interesting dream. In Genesis 40:8, Joseph says that dream interpretations belong to God. More often than not, they serve the purpose to warn or instruct us.

So what could my water dream be telling me about? I searched the bible for key words and came across Ezekiel 47. At the door of the temple, Ezekiel had a vision of water pouring out from the Temple porch (Ezekiel 47:1-2). He walked and measured the depth; first ankle-deep, then knee-deep, then waist-deep, until eventually it became a river over his head. Following its trail led him to discovering the water descending into the sea of stagnant waters. Later on in verses 8-10 we read that wherever the river flows, life will flourish.

Come Alive Again

The first truth I take away from this passage is that God can make things come alive again. Sometimes the land looks dry, but his restorative power can change things in an instant. God’s word says he pours water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground (Isaiah 44:3). The shallow water in my dream revealed to me that I have so much more to uncover of God’s unlimited grace and mercy. He can refresh my soul and bring the dry areas in me back to life.

Increasing Waters

I read a commentary by Matthew Henry that explains how the gospel of Christ spread like waters producing blessed effects. He also pointed us to observe the process of the work of grace in the heart. Similar to the progression of the depth of the water, God also reveals in us certain truths. There are things I may never understand. Some are like the shallow water that are plain to be understood. For instance, how I will always get burned if I touch a hot surface. Others are waist-deep; beyond our grasp. Like why some people do not heal from a disease, or some relationships do not work out.

Fresh Fruit

In Ezekiel’s vision, God tells him the sea will be filled with all kinds of fish and the river itself will cause fruit trees of all kinds to grow (v12). Then, continuing to promise their leaves won’t wither and the fruit won’t fall. As long as the river from the Sanctuary flows to them, they’ll bear fresh fruit. Similarly, we are called to abide in Jesus. Colossians 2:6-7 tells us our faith is strengthened as we are rooted and built up in him. The reference to being rooted in him is seen prior in Psalms 1:3. It reads, “that person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither–whatever they do prospers”.