Dreams

Have you ever had a dream that felt so real that you started reacting to it in your sleep? Well, that happened to me last night. My kids started karate a little over a year ago. They have worked very hard at it and some have already reached the level of brown belt which is quit a significant accomplishment. My little college girl, Rebekah, broke a board in half with her bare hand. I was very impressed! And my 13 yr old, Malachi, broke every board in sight!
I have always been intrigued by karate and even took it for a little while when I was a teenager. So it thrills me to watch my children do it. But a few weeks back I got this crazy notion that even though I'm in my mid forties it was not to late to take karate. After all, I need to lose a few pounds, ok many pounds, and I could be a little more flexible.
So I did it! I started karate. Yes, I'm very sore. Yes, I have along way to go. Yes, my kids laugh at me and my side kick that is only high enough to kick a 5 yr old in the knee (although I'd never do that). Yes, I love it! I love it so much I'm dreaming about it. Last night I was dreaming that this big harry faced growling guy was coming after me and I promptly roundhouse kicked him in the head.
And then about ten seconds later I woke to this incredible pain in my toes. In my sleep I had kicked the wall and about broke my toes! And now not only did my toes hurt but I had this adrenaline rush from being in a fight that I felt was real. And because I was asleep and now instantly awake I was extremely disoriented. I got my bearings, slowed down my breathing, and rubbed my toes while thinking what in the world was that all about.
It dawned on me this morning that my experience is exactly what living the Christian life is all about. No, not breaking your toes in your sleep. First, we are in a Spiritual battle. The big harry faced growling devil is coming after us. But because it's a Spiritual Battle we feel like were in a dream. We feel like that it's not real. But before we know it life has gotten all out of wack. We find ourselves disoriented trying to figure out what's true, what's right, and what's wrong. We find ourselves breathing hard as we try to get our bearings in life. And we find ourselves rubbing our hurts from kicking things that aren't even there. And before we figure out what in the world is going on Satan is winning the battle we didn't even realize we were in.
We have to WAKE UP and realize that we are in a Spiritual battle! It's time we get ourselves oriented to this fact and make a plan to battle Satan the rest of our lives. It's time we slow down and make time for God everyday. We can't win without Him! It's time to fix the hurts and stop wallering in self pity or denial or or whatever it is that's keeping you from letting God fix your hurts. And it's time to really live! To live a life that loves justice, shows kindness, and walks humbly with God.