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| Photo by SRWvong 2019 |
I had a dream that my family and I were staying in a resort
in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The hotel was at the foot of a majestic
snow-capped mountain, and the grounds, buildings and roads were adrift in snow.
Our family had planned to go on a hike up the mountain that afternoon, weather
permitting, but we were reluctant to leave the warmth of the castle-like
fortress and venture out on the trails.
In the meantime, I looked out the window and spotted an
inviting hot tub, fed by a natural spring. Steam arose from the surface even as
snow covered the shrubs and statuary surrounding it. The hot tub could be
reached from an indoor swimming pool, so that the bather would never have to
venture outside until they were submersed under the soothing jets.
Best of all, the location of the hot tub afforded a glorious view of the
summit. As my family was still undecided about whether to go hiking, I was
tempted to slip away for a comfortable soak that I was sure would dissolve all
the tensions of travel.
But then I realized that the hot tub was near the street
where tour buses were constantly arriving and departing, dropping off and
picking up loads of people. Not only would there not be any privacy, but the
fumes from the buses would be disturbing, and the large vehicles would mostly
block the view of the mountain peak.
As I awoke and considered the symbolism of the dream, it
reminded me of what we as born-again Christians (John 3:3-8) are to do once we are saved by trusting in the
death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6). At that moment we
know that Heaven, symbolized by the mountain peak gleaming in the sun, will be
our eternal home.
But God did not save us just so that we would be guaranteed
eternity in heaven rather than in hell, which is the final destination for all
who have not trusted in the atoning sacrifice of His Son, as all have sinned
and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans
3:23). If that were His only purpose, He would take us home at the
moment of our salvation.
Instead, He wants us to embark on the spiritual journey of
progressive sanctification. Once we are saved by His grace, we are to begin
climbing up the mountain, not so that we can saved by our good works, but rather
to accomplish the specific purpose He had planned for each us since before the
beginning of time (Ephesians 2:8-10;
1:5,11; Romans 8:29-30; Jeremiah 29:11). That purpose
includes good works to serve Him (James
2:17-26), to witness to others so that they can be brought into His Kingdom
(2 Corinthians 5:18), and to
encourage fellow believers (Romans 14:19;
Ephesians 4:12,16).
In the dream, that journey was represented by the plan to
hike up the mountain. Climbing it would mean leaving the place of comfort,
warmth, and security, facing the cold, expending energy, struggling at times,
following hairpin turns that might even lead downward, and facing dangerous
conditions (Psalm 23). Yet
these trials are part of our journey, for they strengthen our faith, give us
wisdom and experience to counsel others going through similar trials (1 Peter 4:12; Romans 5:3-5),
and shape us into the image of Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:10).
Once we are saved and the Holy Spirit enters our hearts (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13;
4:30), we experience His presence like a bubbling spring. The
Comforter (John 14:16) warms
us from within, stirring up currents of joy, hope and peace as we contemplate
our eternal destiny in glorified bodies (1
Corinthians 15:35-58) living in that fair city paved with gold (Revelation 21) where Jesus Christ is building mansions for
each of us (John 14:1-4).
These feelings are a wonderful blessing and gift from God, and
sometimes are best enjoyed by just resting in His presence. But we must be
careful not to let them overwhelm us by becoming “so heavenly-minded that we
are no earthly good,” as the saying goes. Many Christians, once saved, are
content merely to know that they no longer have to worry about going to hell,
and that they can just sit on the pew and soak up love and God’s Word emanating
from the body of Christ.
The Great Commission given by Jesus to His disciples was to
go, teach and baptize others of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20), not to sit and bask in spiritual
complacency. We are not to stay in the hot tub, where we could risk lethargy
and overheating, but to start climbing up the mountain, following His lead. We
know He will never leave us nor forsake us on that journey (Hebrews 13:5), that He will
safely guide us through all the hazards, and that He will provide us with
beautiful vistas and rest stops along the way (Psalm 23), in His perfect timing.
The tour buses in the dream I believe may represent souls coming
to the earth, and intersecting with our mortal lives, by physical birth, and
leaving by physical death. How could we rest comfortably, simply enjoying the
peace of knowing we are saved, when we see souls stepping out into eternity
every day, many if not most of whom are headed straight for hell? The fumes in
the dream may be the whiff of brimstone warning us of what awaits those who
have not trusted Christ (Psalm 11:6;
Revelation 21:8).
The Holy Spirit kindles a fire within our hearts with a
passion for lost souls. While we are on this earth, our time is so short (Job 14:1; James 4:14), and
there are so many opportunities to witness so that souls will be led to our
precious Lord Jesus (John 4:35).
May we not be slothful or self-serving, but fervent in our Lord’s business (Romans 12:11), until He comes again!
© 2019 Laurie Collett
