The Lord showed me another Dream, or in other words, I had a vision. My question that I had been seeking was “What should I do to grow closer to God?” It had been something on my mind for some time, and I had been encouraged by other pastors to seek “Him.”
In my vision, the Lord handed me a round metal can. From the outside, it was the size of a large, ordinary soup can; however, as I looked at it more closely and examined the label, I noticed it was different from any ordinary label. The label was styled like something that you would see in the early 1900s. As I rotated the can to look at it, it was covered with trees. And each time I would turn the can around, the label would show a different tree than the one on it the time before. In fact, every time I turned the can around, I would see a different species of tree. Each tree was different and unique. All of them were full-grown and majestic. I was amazed at how many there were. I felt that each one represented every species that ever was, and in turn was symbolic of different people from around the globe. For God is no respecter of persons. The trees represented all the varieties of people of the earth.
I spent some time looking over all the trees. And although the can fit in my hand, I could rotate it and see tree after tree after tree and a full picture of each one printed on the can. It was beautiful.
Then, the understanding was given to me that this can contained a “fertilizer” so to speak. A special type of fertilizer that could be used on any type of tree. One that would be needed in order for it to grow up to become mighty and strong, full of vibrant life, exceedingly green in color with lots of leaves and flourish abundantly with the ripest of fruit. No disease, no parasites, and no bareness.
The impression was that I could grow up to be exactly like one of these trees. Full, ripe and abundant with life. I wanted to be this type of person. Vibrant, full of life, and have it in abundance. It reminded me of the scripture that reads: “I am the true vine, ye are the branches.” Only by abiding in Him can we receive the strength, nourishment, and spiritual power needed to grow, thrive, and bring forth lasting fruit.
Then, words began to be printed on the label. The instructions were simple; the pathway to this ‘fulfilling and abundant life’ was to “commune” in a more intimate way with the Lord, only he could ensure the growth. This got my mind thinking. What does it mean to “Commune? …and to do it more intimately?” Was this a deeper sense of prayer. Was I even doing this during my prayer time? Were my prayers offered to fast, not deep enough, or too superficial?
Seeking to communicate more with God. Certainly, that was something that I was seeking. It’s interesting how we read in the scriptures that Jesus said to “pray always,” and we seem to interpret this to mean to just be prayerful; however, I began to realize that it did not mean to just pray when we need to or to just pray every morning, it really means to “pray always.”
However, in terms of meaning, it certainly instilled the idea that I needed to pray more, and if I was already praying more, then I needed to pray even more than that. Jesus’ words were literal… To Pray Always…
Prayer is the answer. How do we pray, how much do we pray, and how deep do we pray? And in our prayers are we reaching that “commune” level?
The Lord was trying to teach me something that I hadn’t realized, which was sitting right in front of my face, and for years, I just didn’t see it. “Commune” with God, not pray to God. It’s a way of giving more of myself to God. This was the fertilizer that I needed.
Luke 13:6 6 He spake also this parable: A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
9 And if it bears fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
God wants us to bear fruit. He was teaching me how to dung (fertilize) my tree so that I can learn to bear fruit. I wanted to grow up strong and be full of life, and have a fullness in it, with branches that reach up toward heaven.
I recently read an article about a pastor who received several prayer requests from members of his congregation, asking him to pray for them. As he went to pray, the Lord appeared in his room and told him he had come to help him pray. He then had the privilege of watching Jesus pour out his heart towards the Father for and on behalf of this member. He watched the energy Jesus had put into his prayer, listened to the words he chose to speak, and remained in that prayer for nearly thirty minutes before he finished. And this was just the first prayer request.
The pastor’s comment was that Jesus stayed in that prayer until he felt it was finished, whereupon he said, “Ok, it is done.” And then he said to the pastor, “Let’s go to the next one,” and they continued until they had prayed in this manner for every single request. Not one person was left out or was treated as of lesser importance. This reminded me of the word “commune,” giving me a better understanding of what it means.
I learned that I need to commune more and not just pray more. That I can become more of what God has in store for me. If I will just spend more time with him. it’s creating a relationship with him. A more intimate prayer, earnestly seeking him, so he can work a greater work within me. It is through Him that I can truly become great!