Saturday, March 21, 2020

Three Dolphins: From Dream to Fulfillment

 

Photo by Nevil Dimins 2005


As we sat overlooking the beach at our island getaway last evening, we enjoyed the golden sun reflecting off the cobalt blue water as it sank below the horizon, illuminating the scattered clouds in rose and orange hues. Sandpipers were scampering along the edge of the waves, terns were bobbing for coquina shells, and the "local Air Force" -- a flock of pelicans -- were soaring majestically overhead. But no dolphins.
 
"It's been a long time since we've seen dolphins here," my husband remarked. 
 
As if on cue, a solitary black fin appeared out of the waves, followed by another, and then we saw the full body of a dolphin leaping from the waves and frolicking in the shallow waters along the coast.
 
It is amazing how God speaks to us in troubled times, sending us love letters meant especially for us. When my husband was first diagnosed with prostate cancer, He sent us a glorious double rainbow over the beach, reassuring us of His faithfulness, mercy and grace. Now that the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic is creating chaos and fear across the globe and in the lives, homes and workplaces of families everywhere, I believe He spoke His peace into our hearts through the appearance of these dolphins. 
 
Four years ago I had a dream about three dolphins as a symbol of the omnipotence of the Triune Godhead, and now He reminded me of this vision by placing three real dolphins where we could appreciate their beauty. Below is the blog post I wrote in 2015 about my dream. Praying that it will be a blessing, and praying for health, safety and wisdom for all as they deal with the consequences of COVID-19 in their own lives and in their local and global communities. 

Reposted from 2015:
In this dream I am at a dance audition held in a studio at the beach. As I watch the choreographed combination each of us will have to perform for the judges, I feel confident that I will be able to dance the steps with ease and grace. But when it is my turn to take the floor, I can barely move and I almost fall over because I am wearing a bulky winter jacket and coat and heavy street shoes. 
 
I ask the director if I can remove these, and she says yes, but that I’ll have to leave them outside on the beach because there is no room in the studio. 
 
When I reach the sand dunes and hear the pounding surf, I am reluctant to set my extra clothes and shoes down on the beach, wondering if they’ll be safe. Will they wash away, or will someone take them? But finally I remove my winter gear, and I feel a great sense of freedom as the waves lap at my feet and the ocean breeze ruffles my hair. 
 
As I look out at the waves, I am thrilled to see three dolphins swim by, parallel to the shore. I glimpse the first leaping from the water then diving back in, just long enough for me to appreciate his beauty and vitality. The second is invisible, not emerging from the sea, but I can tell from currents on the water’s surface that he is there.
 
The third dolphin is a fantastical creature, much larger and more powerful than the first. As he flies out of the ocean and hovers over the waves, I can see his elaborately developed and ornate fins gleaming on his silvery body. One brilliant gold, fan-shaped fin on his back is like that of a sailfish; several fins crown his head; and a long sword-like bill protruding from his mouth resembles that of a swordfish.
 
This vision of the dolphins fills me to overflowing with unspeakable joy. With no fear I leave my excess garments on the beach and run off to tell the others what I have seen. But back in the studio, everyone is preoccupied with the audition and no one listens to me. Some clearly just don’t care; some politely brush me off; and a few are rude and even hostile as they order me out. So I leave, with great sadness that no one would be able to see the majestic dolphins or to experience the joy they brought me. 
 
As I awaken, I think of the burdens, sins and weights that encumber me as I try in my own strength to run the race He has set before me (Hebrews 12:1; 1 Corinthians 9:24). Why do I so foolishly cling to these, instead of laying them down at the foot of His cross (1 Peter 5:7; Matthew 11:28) where I can exchange my burdens for His blessings? The dance of life is effortless in His grace when I follow His lead, but when I rely on my own flesh, I can barely move. 
 
Jesus Christ is the Living Water, our endless Source of energy, freedom, and cleansing (Song of Solomon 4:15; Jeremiah 2:13; 17:13; John 4:10; Revelation 7:17). His shed blood washes away our sins and carries away our excess baggage, just as the tides faithfully empower the waves to clear out debris left on the shore (Revelation 1:5). 
 
The first dolphin represents Jesus the Son, come to earth in the flesh (John 1:14) to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins (Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2; 4:10). The second, unseen dolphin symbolizes the Holy Spirit, sent by Jesus Christ to live within the heart of every believer (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30), invisible like the wind except in the effects He has through His great power (John 3:8).  
 
And the third glorious creature reminds me of Christ Who will come again, wearing His crowns (Revelation 19:12) as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14; 19:16) and carrying His fan of judgment (Matthew 3:12; Luke 3:17). His victorious Word will proceed from His mouth (Revelation 19:15,21), sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12), to defeat the enemies of Israel, Satan, sin and death (Revelation 19:15-21). 
 
Once we believe that Jesus died to pay our sin debt, was buried, and rose again on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), and recognize Him as our personal Lord and Savior, His Holy Spirit enters our hearts and lives there (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) until we go home to be with Him. In the meantime, we have the glorious, blessed hope of His second coming (Titus 2:13), when we will accompany Him as armies led by our King of Kings (Revelation 19:14). Through Jesus we have the fullness of the Godhead bodily: the Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 
 
What an amazing message that anyone who is born again (John 3:3-8) should want to shout from the rooftops to all who will listen! The Bible shows us many examples of those who were saved and immediately left what they were doing to proclaim the Good News to everyone, including the shepherds (Luke 2:17-18), the woman at the well (John 4:28-29), and the apostle Andrew (John 1:40-42). Many of us, in the excitement of being newly saved, did the same. 
 
But sadly, many to whom we witness are apathetic, polite but unconvinced, or even aggressive in response to our testimony. Sadder still, that response may quench our fire to tell others the life-saving, destiny-changing Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 
 
Thankfully, our mission is not to save or even to convert anyone, for only the Holy Spirit can do that. Our mission is to sow the seed of God’s Word and our story of how He changed us forever (2 Corinthians 5:17). We may think our sowing is bearing no fruit, but there may be many whose heart is softened by our words and deeds, later becoming receptive to accepting Christ (Matthew 13:3-23). 
 
For the most part, we won’t know of these until we reach glory, but what a joy it will be to meet them and realize we played a part in their being in Heaven! And I believe Jesus Christ will reward us for all good words spoken on His behalf, whether or not they reach fertile soil (Matthew 25:21, 23). 
 
May we not grow weary in spreading the Good News, regardless of what reaction we encounter! In the right season we will reap our harvest (Galatians 6:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:13), for God notices and will reward our labor!  
 
© 2015 Laurie Collett
children's ministry blogs

7 comments:

Frank E. Blasi said...

Dear Laurie,
Because of the present crisis, all our church services have become virtual, that is, via live broadcast through the internet. However there is a remarkable similarity between your post and the sermon preached only this morning.
It was about God allowing this coronavirus to "give the nation a good shaking" to remind all of us for the need for Jesus crucified. Especially now, when Easter is not far away, the need for all to hear the Gospel.
Part of the preach was on Psalm 19:1, where it's said that the whole heavens declares the majesty of God. But also from Romans 10:14 where Paul asks, how can anyone believe unless they hear, and who could announce the Gospel unless they are sent?
As for the dolphins, I fully agree, they are indeed remarkable creatures. When my daughter was small, we took a boat trip from Penzance in Cornwall to the Scilly Isles. For the whole sailing we were followed by about two or three dolphins just a few metres behind us. Such a sight was quite exhilarating.
A well-written blog, God bless.

Laurie Collett said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Laurie Collett said...

Dear Frank,
Most churches here have gone the same route. Ours is still open, but we feel it would be too great a risk to our health to attend, and we don't want to endanger the health of others. I pray that God will use the pandemic to bring all closer to Himself, especially those who do not yet know Him. His creation speaks to His glory as Creator, so that they who say there is no God are without excuse.

Thanks as always for sharing your experience, encouragement, and insights. God bless,

Laurie

Brenda said...

Hi Laurie,
lovely post, your dream and recent experience reminds me of the fact that we are in the prophetic times of our Lord coming back and how we must all endeavour to send out the message of salvation according to what we have been given. God's Word can not go out and return void to Him, and whether what He has given us to share plants or waters He will add the increase. God bless you Laurie, and your husband with the full gift of healing.

Donald Fishgrab said...

Great post, Laurie.
As i Watch the Corona virus drama unfold, I realize that many of the efforts to control it are moves that will greatly facilitate the development of a one world government, setting the stage for the Antichrist's kingdom, even though it may not come into existence for many years. In the meantime, I believe God is using it to make people stop and think about what is happening, and like the Egyptians in Moses' day some will listen while others harden their hearts. It is an exciting time to be alive.

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Brenda -- I too believe we are in the last days of the End Times. Praying for His swift return but also for us to be fruitful until then. God bless you and yours and grant you perfect healing,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Donald! Great point, that this pandemic could be the perfect crisis for the Antichrist who will appear to have the perfect solution for its devastating consequences. Meanwhile, God seems to be using this to soften the hearts of the unsaved and to strengthen the faith of the saved. Thanks as always for sharing your insights. God bless,
Laurie