And again...he who has ears, listen to what the Spirit is saying.

I wasn’t expecting this in the least, but I had another dream I would like to share in reference to my previous post. I haven’t even been thinking about this topic very much recently, so I was a little surprised when I had it.

In my dream I was attending a huge outdoor gathering of thousands of Catholics. We were all seated and waiting with great expectation. The Pope was going to speak, and everyone desperately wanted to hear what he had to say. There was a sense that the outcome of this event was of great importance, and the people needed to hear something from him that would put them at ease.

Suddenly he sat in his seat, and it seemed very much like the “throne” of a king to me. His position was very high up above the people. And, he spoke about two sentences and that was it. I do not know what he said, but I remember it was of little substance and seemed to be a formality only. After speaking these two sentences, it was over. Just like that. People began to rise up out of their seats (some staggering in disbelief), and look at each other as if suddenly they had lost their foundation in life. For many, the weight was too heavy to bear. Suddenly where there was once unity, hope, and expectation, there was now confusion. People began to disperse and go in different directions. It was as if a bond was broken, a sacred bond.

The image that breaks my heart and sticks in my mind the most is that of an elderly gentlemen who was seated to the right of me and getting up out of his seat. I looked over at him…and he looked me right in the eyes. There was such pain and hurt in his eyes as he staggered out of his seat. I felt much compassion, and I hurt deeply for him. He was looking for answers, for help with a pleading in his eyes. It was as if he lost everything he believed in, in one short moment. It was gone, all over for him.

Now, I do not have an agenda or mission whatsoever to speak ill of the Catholic Church. But again, I thought it important to share what I have just written. I’ve seen a lot of different things recently, like Catholics announcing they are “proud” to be Catholic.  I find it all rather childish. I’ve also heard that many want to support the pope, or,  are asking for his resignation. I mean for goodness sake, just who and what needs defending here? Truth is truth. Let him who has ears, hear what the Spirit is saying.

"Rest in the fact that I have overcome the world!"

I was on an outing after working one evening earlier this week, and thinking heavily about something that was bothering me. Reflection is always good and necessary to a degree. But, it can at times get to a point if left unchecked, we may unnecessarily take on burdens instead of quickly letting them go and moving on.

As I continued to run errands I was praying internally for peace and direction in the situation I was concerned with. I continued asking forgiveness as well if I had so far taken any approach that was not suitable.

I love how God can at times break through our thoughts and problems of the day and bring an instant peace to our hearts. Just as I sat down to wait in a store for something I had ordered, the words that suddenly and unexpectedly came to my heart were” “I want you to rest in the fact that I have overcome.”

My first thought was, “That’s it?” I smiled to myself as I at first thought this statement was quite humorous. Humorous because I am by nature an inquisitive person and I like answers! It is hard for me to accept at times that something just “is”. I have to know the reason why things are a certain way. Sometimes in my attempt to simplify a situation, I actually end up over complicating it.

I was also excited though. I knew this simple statement was a “big” one, and not in the least bit meant to be humorous. This statement is so majestic, and so final. It is Truth, it is peace, and it is security. The fact is Jesus is the final exclamation point, if you will, on all that ever was, is, and ever will be. He is the Alpha and the Omega.

In this life, there will be trials simply because we live in a fallen world. The Holy Spirit can indeed show us mysteries, give us discernment, and of course do great wonders. But, there is an aspect of life where daily trials are ordinary and to be expected. We will face trials that we may not always receive direct answers for. Perhaps an "answer" would be more than we can handle.

I was also pondering the fact that I need to be a little easier going on myself when I do make mistakes. Living in a world where perfection does not exist, will cause some of our reactions in certain situations to be imperfect. This is a human problem. God's mercy is new every morning. It’s almost as if I was being told:  “Get over yourself and move on, I have overcome all. And, once and for all rest in that knowledge.”

I want to be clear though, there is a time for pressing in and being determined that answers will come, in certain situations. This is the kind of faith that Jesus marvels at I think. Don’t ever let go of such tenacity, but discern the times when we need to step back and let go. Or, while we are waiting for answers that haven’t come yet, simply rest in the fact that whatever the outcome of any situation, He truly already has overcome all.

We live in what can be a mysterious and complicated world at times. Some things I’m sure are simply too big for us to handle. However, at the end of the day...there is One who has overcome all.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)