Vineyard Days – Selah X ~ Christ’s Bride, Part 2

If you read Vineyard Days – Selah X ~ Christ’s Bride, welcome back. Vineyard Days – Selah X ~ Christ’s Bride, Part 2 is follow-up to the dream I shared in that post. For all the dream’s nuances and potential “huh?” moments, I am fully persuaded Christ loves His becoming bride. The proof is He is absolutely not done leaving her alone, nor will He.

I am also persuaded there are as many ‘takes’ on the dream as people who read it. Part 2 is my attempt to shed some light of truth in a spirit of stewardship as the one to whom the dream was given.

Connecting the dream-dots

Dream interpretation is an art form for some. I ascribe more to the ‘did not my heart burn within me’ approach, because that is how Holy Spirit causes me to get what He wants me to know. If I were to try to head-figure-it-out, I could discredit or massage the message. I’ve found the best approach is to receive confirming scripture as it begins to flood forward; a key reason I love the Word of God. It confirms itself. The more I soak in it, the more Holy Spirit faithfully connects the dots. I am grateful for His dream-dots technique, especially for a dream as progressively multi-layered as Selah X ~ Christ’s Bride. Now for Part 2.

A key element

The presence of Holy Spirit as the hostess is key. (I’m reminded of another dream years ago where Holy Spirit – as a real estate agent – guided me through purposed topical scenes). The hostess is not an issue of gender in the same way the Bride of Christ is not comprised only of females. Males are called and capable of developing intimacy with Christ. It is a matter of yielding one’s will, regardless of identity. The point is, Holy Spirit, present not only to comfort but to teach us, knows the form that will best serve the purpose of delivering the message and revealed will of the Father.

Hearing the message goes beyond being an obedient mate that does. It’s being retrofitted in our mind, will, and emotions to Christ’s perfectly suited ‘last Adam’ counterpart.

The outflow that results is ways of thinking that, through practice, line up with the Word. A will that wants what our Father wants, not in word only but in walk – at times against our own personal will. And emotions tempered through the righteous moods of the Spirit that indwelt Christ. His presence enabled Jesus to make himself of no reputation.¹

This doesn’t happen overnight, beloved, though Holy Spirit often works under cover of night – when He can get and keep our attention. Or while in a stay-home-stay-safe-shelter-in-place injunction during a worldwide pandemic. Selah.

Body

There are reasons – and we are in the middle of a global one – the Word tells us through King David’s testimony:

“I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.”
Psalm 37:25 (NIV)

On the dream’s surface, fear for lack of basic needs stood out to me in context of this pandemic in which we currently find ourselves. The hoarding frenzy – whether observed, encountered, or indulged – is out of alignment with the promise of God’s provision for every need. The detail of the sparse flatbread placed in front of me and the thought process engaged provides a picture of secret worry, dissatisfaction, and comparison. He’s a better Provider than that.

Many, from government officials to friends on social media, have broadcast the message of buying only what you need and leaving some for others. In daily life, we know selfishness and self-interest when we see it. Long as we continue to live in the world as though we are of the world, fear and dissatisfaction will skew our view of the fullness of God. Including the reality of belonging to Him, this Abba who cares for every need His child may encounter…and then some.

Contentment is learned.² What we think about God’s trustworthiness informs our perceptions about Him. Whether in humble means or overflow, Christ’s Bride will experience the flatbread meal of the Lord’s provision, duplicated after its own kind (as at the head of the table where Holy Spirit presides over that which concerns her). Not the ‘stretched thin with sparse scarcity’ version we may envision. He can be trusted to provide just what we need.³ 

If we choose to linger in a state of discontent, we border on ingratitude. We may adjust our mouth setting to ‘silent thoughts’, but Holy Spirit who searches our heart and mind, knows the thoughts and intents of both. No matter how long He still has to be about our preparation, the muted relationship with an ungrateful bride needs to be rectified.

Tri-part Selah

Well, I had hoped to finish Christ’s Bride in two parts. That’s not going to happen. Once again I invite you to Selah a little longer here, while I continue with part three in my writing shelter.

The message may seem to be heating up. Please don’t fear or despair (or cop an attitude). So is the intensity of our Bridegroom’s love for His beloved Shulamites. Let, allow, invite your heart to be stirred awake more fully, my friends. His love is truly better than wine.

In the vineyard where it’s pruning season again ~

Gracefully Free

¹ Philippians 2:5-7
² Philippians 4:8-13
³ Proverbs 30:8-9