"You're Not Drowning": The Men in the Cave - Dream Reveals Identity in Christ
"I have some friends that need rescuing," she said. From what I could tell, she was another lifeguard, like me, and she led me to the right, down a narrow path of water separated from the rest of the lake by tall grass. While the other lifeguards headed toward the open lake, we ended up at a big flat rock jutting out over the water, with just a bit of space between the overhang and lake.
This was a dream, and I knew instinctively at this point there were four people under the water. The lifeguard didn't say anything else to me, so I had no helpful information such as how long they had been under. In fact, she wasn't going to be helping; I knew this was expected of me for whatever reason, and she kind of faded from my consciousness. Logically, I knew I could only rescue one person at a time, and I also had to find each person under the murky water. This meant that, barring a miracle, not everyone was going to make it, if even one. I lifted up my chest and took a deep breath as I prepared mentally and physically, positioning my hands to search, and then I started down. But I was immediately blocked.....by a head! Which now, typing this, I realize how horrorish this sounds, but it wasn't, because the scene immediately changed.
I was now standing in front of four grown men. It's like the water disappeared, and I was standing where I had been swimming, but I had moved further in under the overhang, inside a small alcove. It was like being tucked in behind a waterfall or water wall, although I can't remember if there was water behind me or the alcove was completely open. The point is the space was definitely a pocket that had been hidden from me before.
After searching a bit, I found this picture on a Pinterest Board, and traced it back to a DeviantArt.com. It was taken by 5isalive and is titled Ice Cave. This is a very close representation of what the cave looked and felt like, although the water wasn't ice. It was warm.
My back was to the water, and the men I was facing were in a single file line facing a pathway out to their left (my right), just as the photograph is facing. They were all muscular and youthful, and they wore brown pants, short sleeved brown shirts, and hiking boots. Each one had a belt around his waist with a silver metal loop on the front center that tethered him to a safety line running above all of their heads. A cord ran from the loop on their belts to another metal loop attached to the safety line. Also, below them was a second safety line that seemed to be there for extra footing and support, like someone would use for slacklining or highlining, but it seemed very superfluous and unnecessary, as there was a cave floor to walk on...again, as in the picture.
I tried to help them out but it was kind of akward, as they really didn't need help. The first man I tried to assist pretty much walked straight ahead and led himself out without my help, and without really acknowledging me. It reminded me of the scene in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, where Dr. Bravestone walks right across the crocodile pit without Seaplane McDonough's help. I wrote my first blog ever about this entire movie scene, because one, that scene is awesome, and secondly, the way the men in this dream behaved reminded me of Dr. Bravestone.
One by one, they filed out and followed a very skinny path ascending up the side of a small hill on the edge of the lake that eventually met the road above. There was another person waiting to assist them as they came out onto the road. This is where the dream ended.
https://www.deviantart.com/5isalive/art/Ice-Cave-356573742
Dreams
Most of us have heard the saying "A picture is worth a thousand words".
Wikipedia says this saying "...is an English language adage meaning that complex and sometimes multiple ideas can be conveyed by a single still image, which conveys its meaning or essence more effectively than a mere verbal description."
We all have experienced this. I can tell you about a dress all day from the 1950s. You know, it's black and white gingham, with a high rounded collar, and small cap sleeves, A-line, with a black belt. Or...I can show you this, especially if I lost you at gingham:
(BTW - This picture is from a website called 1950s Glam, where this dress is for sale. And no, I don't get commissions from this. The dress is just cute: https://www.1950sglam.com/product/elly-may-black-gingham-50s-dress/)
POINT: Dreams are a lot like this. I like to call them "short films". God can speak to your spirit quickly in picture-form.
A Lesson in Identity
So what was God showing me? Glad you asked. This dream is all about identity...but why did I need it? Again, glad you asked. These are the questions I asked. It took me a little while into the next morning before my "aha" moment came, as a I prayed and pieced it together.
Let's go back a bit shall we? The evening before this dream, I was feeling very overwhelmed. Our family had been through a lot the previous few months. I had lost half my hair and been fired from a job without warning, in what seemed to me like an unfair political move by the company. And now, after months of not working, I was just starting a temp job (for way less money), and my husband was going into the hospital with no health insurance, and he came out after 17 long days. We were having other financial struggles at the time. This convoluted experience had been our most recent battle, but this particular night, we were discussing an issue regarding one of our children, and trying to decide what to do about it. I needed to be settling my mind to start another week of work, the farthest place from my mind and heart, and as I walked to another room away from my husband, I felt a wave of desperation wash over me. I silently cried out to God: "I don't know what to do; I can't handle all of this." I felt the tears start to come and choked them back, but I was angry and tired of carrying so much. The rest of the night is a blur, but God gave me the cave dream while I was sleeping.
When I woke up the next morning, the Holy Spirit brought the dream to memory, and as I made my coffee and went about my morning routine, I prayed and thought and prayed and thought, and eventually came revelation.
Understanding:
Note 1: This dream was incredible because I don't go caving, spelunking, or potholing, and I definitely do NOT like deep murky water. I love to swim, but I like being in water where I can see what's underneath. I'm way cool NOT knowing what lurks under or in dark spaces. So the fact that God even used these naturally uncomfortable scenarios - in a lake and a cave - is, in and of itself, more reiterating of the points he showed me.
Note 2: I don't know what equipment people caving would wear or take. I mean, I have an idea of basics, but you wouldn't want me to pack your emergency survival kit for exploring a cave, especially overnight. I'm pretty sure they would have a backpack with a flashlight, first aid, water bottle, food, etc. Tent? Sleeping bag? Flare gun? Don't know? So let it be a shock to you when I tell you they had nothing with them. Their only piece of equipment was their tether cords, and I don't know if that's what you call them, but that's what I'm calling them.
Note 3: If you don't have much experience with understanding your dreams, it's way important to note that they are mostly symbolic, not literal. Remember how we talked about pictures? If you were wearing the dress above in a dream, this would probably represent something more than just a dress, especially if you don't wear dresses a lot, and especially with it being from the 50s! My sister loves the 50s era, so for her to be wearing a 50s dress might be symbolic of something that feels good to her as an overall "picture". For you, it might be akward. And to help drive this point home, if you're a man wearing a dress, obviously this is a "picture" to you that something is out of order, or you're not comfortable in a situation. Maybe something in your life isn't a fit (a job, a potential mate, a new deal, identity), and God is confirming something you are praying about or already know. This should be something that would stand out to you. Interpretation will be based on what those symbols mean to you specifically. A lake, for instance, might mean something very different to you based on your experience. I've already explained to you that I don't care for swimming in lakes all that much, but to you, they could represent refreshing if you spent your summers there as a child and have great memories.
Considering my notes, and also remembering that this was a lesson in identity, these are the points I feel God communicated to me, and I am presenting them in the "voice" of Him speaking to me:
1. The Men in the Cave: The men represent you and each member of your family. In the physical realm, a man represents strength, and I see you all as strong and capable. You have felt weak in many areas even physically, but I call you strong, and you must also see yourself this way in the spirit realm, and agree with this truth, so that it can manifest in the natural.
2. You are tethered to me. The reason you are strong is because I AM your strength, rest, and guidance. You have been seeking me, and I am hearing you! I am answering your call/cry, and confirming you ARE abiding in me, and I am abiding in you. (John 15:4) Nothing else is needed but being tethered to me, which is why the men aren't carrying any self-protective gear. I AM all protection, guidance, and whatever else is needed. This is why they are tethered to the line above their heads - this represents my Holy Spirit.
The line below just serves as reassurance that you are protected. You are covered on ALL sides, and you can walk and know I have you.
3. YOU ARE NOT DROWNING. It feels to you like you're under water , and everything is out of control, barely hanging on by a thread. But you're not. You've been feeling like you have to single-handedly save this family and keep things together, but I have you and am keeping you.
4. You are positioned rightly. You have felt a lack of clear direction, and even vision at times, but I have hidden you for now as things are being aligned.
Listen to me and trust, and know that when it is time to move, you will know and you will go. Again, you are tethered to me, and because you have the mind of Christ residing inside of you, you already know the path to take. It is being revealed. You don't need that anyone lead you but my Holy Spirit, and I will provide whatever help you need along the way. Also....You have been content at times with remaining hidden, but you are poised and ready for stepping out, which I will initiate and you will walk in.
Wrap-Up
For those of you who understand how the voice of God is our bread, our lifeline, our everything, it goes without saying that I floated off this revelation for three weeks. To have the God of the universe tell you you're not drowning when you're not sure you can "even save one," I just stopped worrying. I became not only peaceful, but joyful.
Did all my problems go away? No. And as time goes, I still continued to need fresh encouragement, and do still. But God was moving things on our behalf, and it's been a good half year since I had that dream, and I can say things have aligned more and more.
Encouragement
I wrote this to help people. For people who feel like they are also drowning, and there's no place to catch a breath, and you're trying to save other people. Something I have learned is we just can't do it on our own. A lot of my feeling like we were drowning was honestly because of decisions we had made, as I looked back on the past 15 years. I honestly didn't know how to hear God very well before. How to pray through. How to settle my panic to hear. And then, some of our struggle had just been warfare. For people that feel they want to give - money, encouragement, light - the enemy will make sure he works against that, if your heart is truly pure in that area.
But how amazing is the goodness of God toward people - all people! He longs to reveal himself. And how gracious he is to those who seek him. God was saying you're plugged in now. You are hearing, and I'm hearing you, and by my Spirit, I will bring you out of this. Rest in me, because I am your salvation. And if you keep me as your Lord, you will obey my voice and stay on the right path.
If you're in a place where you needed to hear this, I hope it has brought some encouragement. God sees you exactly the same way he sees our family - strong and capable in him. If you've been seeking him, remember that "... he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6). He loves you so much, and he is keeping you. Remember to stay tethered and you cannot fail at what he has called you to: John 15:4 - "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."
*NOTE*: If you would like deeper understanding on the way God speaks through dreams, or just hearing God's voice period, this is a book that helped me, and is only $7.00 in e-format:
https://www.sharethefire.org/store#!/Hearing-Gods-Voice-E-Book-by-Tom-&-Susie-Scarrella/p/57130213/category=2572060
I don't get any commissions or sales from advertising this book. In fact, at the time of this writing, the authors don't know I'm putting it in this blog. And, at the time of this blog, I probably have had two people total visit my page, so there ya go. I just really feel that book helped fast track my understanding.
Until next time, peace and blessings!
This was a dream, and I knew instinctively at this point there were four people under the water. The lifeguard didn't say anything else to me, so I had no helpful information such as how long they had been under. In fact, she wasn't going to be helping; I knew this was expected of me for whatever reason, and she kind of faded from my consciousness. Logically, I knew I could only rescue one person at a time, and I also had to find each person under the murky water. This meant that, barring a miracle, not everyone was going to make it, if even one. I lifted up my chest and took a deep breath as I prepared mentally and physically, positioning my hands to search, and then I started down. But I was immediately blocked.....by a head! Which now, typing this, I realize how horrorish this sounds, but it wasn't, because the scene immediately changed.
 |
I was now standing in front of four grown men. It's like the water disappeared, and I was standing where I had been swimming, but I had moved further in under the overhang, inside a small alcove. It was like being tucked in behind a waterfall or water wall, although I can't remember if there was water behind me or the alcove was completely open. The point is the space was definitely a pocket that had been hidden from me before.
After searching a bit, I found this picture on a Pinterest Board, and traced it back to a DeviantArt.com. It was taken by 5isalive and is titled Ice Cave. This is a very close representation of what the cave looked and felt like, although the water wasn't ice. It was warm.
My back was to the water, and the men I was facing were in a single file line facing a pathway out to their left (my right), just as the photograph is facing. They were all muscular and youthful, and they wore brown pants, short sleeved brown shirts, and hiking boots. Each one had a belt around his waist with a silver metal loop on the front center that tethered him to a safety line running above all of their heads. A cord ran from the loop on their belts to another metal loop attached to the safety line. Also, below them was a second safety line that seemed to be there for extra footing and support, like someone would use for slacklining or highlining, but it seemed very superfluous and unnecessary, as there was a cave floor to walk on...again, as in the picture.
I tried to help them out but it was kind of akward, as they really didn't need help. The first man I tried to assist pretty much walked straight ahead and led himself out without my help, and without really acknowledging me. It reminded me of the scene in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, where Dr. Bravestone walks right across the crocodile pit without Seaplane McDonough's help. I wrote my first blog ever about this entire movie scene, because one, that scene is awesome, and secondly, the way the men in this dream behaved reminded me of Dr. Bravestone.
One by one, they filed out and followed a very skinny path ascending up the side of a small hill on the edge of the lake that eventually met the road above. There was another person waiting to assist them as they came out onto the road. This is where the dream ended.
https://www.deviantart.com/5isalive/art/Ice-Cave-356573742
Dreams
Most of us have heard the saying "A picture is worth a thousand words".
Wikipedia says this saying "...is an English language adage meaning that complex and sometimes multiple ideas can be conveyed by a single still image, which conveys its meaning or essence more effectively than a mere verbal description."
We all have experienced this. I can tell you about a dress all day from the 1950s. You know, it's black and white gingham, with a high rounded collar, and small cap sleeves, A-line, with a black belt. Or...I can show you this, especially if I lost you at gingham:
(BTW - This picture is from a website called 1950s Glam, where this dress is for sale. And no, I don't get commissions from this. The dress is just cute: https://www.1950sglam.com/product/elly-may-black-gingham-50s-dress/)
POINT: Dreams are a lot like this. I like to call them "short films". God can speak to your spirit quickly in picture-form.
A Lesson in Identity
So what was God showing me? Glad you asked. This dream is all about identity...but why did I need it? Again, glad you asked. These are the questions I asked. It took me a little while into the next morning before my "aha" moment came, as a I prayed and pieced it together.
Let's go back a bit shall we? The evening before this dream, I was feeling very overwhelmed. Our family had been through a lot the previous few months. I had lost half my hair and been fired from a job without warning, in what seemed to me like an unfair political move by the company. And now, after months of not working, I was just starting a temp job (for way less money), and my husband was going into the hospital with no health insurance, and he came out after 17 long days. We were having other financial struggles at the time. This convoluted experience had been our most recent battle, but this particular night, we were discussing an issue regarding one of our children, and trying to decide what to do about it. I needed to be settling my mind to start another week of work, the farthest place from my mind and heart, and as I walked to another room away from my husband, I felt a wave of desperation wash over me. I silently cried out to God: "I don't know what to do; I can't handle all of this." I felt the tears start to come and choked them back, but I was angry and tired of carrying so much. The rest of the night is a blur, but God gave me the cave dream while I was sleeping.
When I woke up the next morning, the Holy Spirit brought the dream to memory, and as I made my coffee and went about my morning routine, I prayed and thought and prayed and thought, and eventually came revelation.
Understanding:
Note 1: This dream was incredible because I don't go caving, spelunking, or potholing, and I definitely do NOT like deep murky water. I love to swim, but I like being in water where I can see what's underneath. I'm way cool NOT knowing what lurks under or in dark spaces. So the fact that God even used these naturally uncomfortable scenarios - in a lake and a cave - is, in and of itself, more reiterating of the points he showed me.
Note 2: I don't know what equipment people caving would wear or take. I mean, I have an idea of basics, but you wouldn't want me to pack your emergency survival kit for exploring a cave, especially overnight. I'm pretty sure they would have a backpack with a flashlight, first aid, water bottle, food, etc. Tent? Sleeping bag? Flare gun? Don't know? So let it be a shock to you when I tell you they had nothing with them. Their only piece of equipment was their tether cords, and I don't know if that's what you call them, but that's what I'm calling them.
Note 3: If you don't have much experience with understanding your dreams, it's way important to note that they are mostly symbolic, not literal. Remember how we talked about pictures? If you were wearing the dress above in a dream, this would probably represent something more than just a dress, especially if you don't wear dresses a lot, and especially with it being from the 50s! My sister loves the 50s era, so for her to be wearing a 50s dress might be symbolic of something that feels good to her as an overall "picture". For you, it might be akward. And to help drive this point home, if you're a man wearing a dress, obviously this is a "picture" to you that something is out of order, or you're not comfortable in a situation. Maybe something in your life isn't a fit (a job, a potential mate, a new deal, identity), and God is confirming something you are praying about or already know. This should be something that would stand out to you. Interpretation will be based on what those symbols mean to you specifically. A lake, for instance, might mean something very different to you based on your experience. I've already explained to you that I don't care for swimming in lakes all that much, but to you, they could represent refreshing if you spent your summers there as a child and have great memories.
Considering my notes, and also remembering that this was a lesson in identity, these are the points I feel God communicated to me, and I am presenting them in the "voice" of Him speaking to me:
1. The Men in the Cave: The men represent you and each member of your family. In the physical realm, a man represents strength, and I see you all as strong and capable. You have felt weak in many areas even physically, but I call you strong, and you must also see yourself this way in the spirit realm, and agree with this truth, so that it can manifest in the natural.
2. You are tethered to me. The reason you are strong is because I AM your strength, rest, and guidance. You have been seeking me, and I am hearing you! I am answering your call/cry, and confirming you ARE abiding in me, and I am abiding in you. (John 15:4) Nothing else is needed but being tethered to me, which is why the men aren't carrying any self-protective gear. I AM all protection, guidance, and whatever else is needed. This is why they are tethered to the line above their heads - this represents my Holy Spirit.
The line below just serves as reassurance that you are protected. You are covered on ALL sides, and you can walk and know I have you.
3. YOU ARE NOT DROWNING. It feels to you like you're under water , and everything is out of control, barely hanging on by a thread. But you're not. You've been feeling like you have to single-handedly save this family and keep things together, but I have you and am keeping you.
4. You are positioned rightly. You have felt a lack of clear direction, and even vision at times, but I have hidden you for now as things are being aligned.
Listen to me and trust, and know that when it is time to move, you will know and you will go. Again, you are tethered to me, and because you have the mind of Christ residing inside of you, you already know the path to take. It is being revealed. You don't need that anyone lead you but my Holy Spirit, and I will provide whatever help you need along the way. Also....You have been content at times with remaining hidden, but you are poised and ready for stepping out, which I will initiate and you will walk in.
Wrap-Up
For those of you who understand how the voice of God is our bread, our lifeline, our everything, it goes without saying that I floated off this revelation for three weeks. To have the God of the universe tell you you're not drowning when you're not sure you can "even save one," I just stopped worrying. I became not only peaceful, but joyful.
Did all my problems go away? No. And as time goes, I still continued to need fresh encouragement, and do still. But God was moving things on our behalf, and it's been a good half year since I had that dream, and I can say things have aligned more and more.
Encouragement
I wrote this to help people. For people who feel like they are also drowning, and there's no place to catch a breath, and you're trying to save other people. Something I have learned is we just can't do it on our own. A lot of my feeling like we were drowning was honestly because of decisions we had made, as I looked back on the past 15 years. I honestly didn't know how to hear God very well before. How to pray through. How to settle my panic to hear. And then, some of our struggle had just been warfare. For people that feel they want to give - money, encouragement, light - the enemy will make sure he works against that, if your heart is truly pure in that area.
But how amazing is the goodness of God toward people - all people! He longs to reveal himself. And how gracious he is to those who seek him. God was saying you're plugged in now. You are hearing, and I'm hearing you, and by my Spirit, I will bring you out of this. Rest in me, because I am your salvation. And if you keep me as your Lord, you will obey my voice and stay on the right path.
If you're in a place where you needed to hear this, I hope it has brought some encouragement. God sees you exactly the same way he sees our family - strong and capable in him. If you've been seeking him, remember that "... he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6). He loves you so much, and he is keeping you. Remember to stay tethered and you cannot fail at what he has called you to: John 15:4 - "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."
https://www.sharethefire.org/store#!/Hearing-Gods-Voice-E-Book-by-Tom-&-Susie-Scarrella/p/57130213/category=2572060
I don't get any commissions or sales from advertising this book. In fact, at the time of this writing, the authors don't know I'm putting it in this blog. And, at the time of this blog, I probably have had two people total visit my page, so there ya go. I just really feel that book helped fast track my understanding.
Until next time, peace and blessings!
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