Game Over?

 

I had a dream early Friday morning…

I was playing Chess with someone I know (for the purpose of this blog, let’s call him John).  Early in the game as I was strategizing my next move, he suddenly swoops in and grabs 3 or 4 of my primary pieces and said, “Game over!”  He was adamant that the game was over and that he had figured out every possible move that could be made.  For a moment, I believed him and thought that maybe he was correct.  Only for a moment though.

Dumbfounded, but giving him the benefit of the doubt, I attempted to figure out what had happened. Did I miss something?  I tried to remember where the pieces were that he had taken and to understand his reasoning for taking them.  But for the life of me, I simply couldn’t make sense of this unwarranted move.

Then I realized something…

My King and Queen were still safely tucked away in their spots behind a few primary game pieces.  I argued with John and told him it was impossible for him to have anticipated every move I would make; and, therefore, he had no right to take those pieces.  I reminded him that he had never even called “Check” much less “Check Mate!” 

Still, he remained convinced the game was over. It then dawned on me that he didn’t know the game very well.  I woke up angrily trying every possible way to get him to comprehend that his move was illegitimate and that the game was, in fact, still in play.

When I dream…

Usually when I have random dreams like this, I immediately pray for the person in the dream as I seek God for the interpretation.  Though I hadn’t spoken with John in quite some time, I do know that he suffered blow after blow this past year and beyond… with loss of a job, a bitter child custody battle, unfair treatment from the courts, etc.  Concerned that his mindset might be that of a “Game Over” mentality, I began to intercede profoundly for him.  I prayed that he wouldn’t do anything stupid in despair, and I asked God to comfort and encourage him.  I prayed a hedge of protection over him and his loved ones.  Every possible way I could think of to pray over him, I prayed. 

After I finished interceding on his behalf, I got up, went to the bathroom, then back to bed (as it was still the wee hours of the morning).  Knowing dream interpretations are rarely what we think, I whispered a final petition to the Lord before drifting back off to sleep, “If there’s another reason for the dream, please reveal it.”

Something you must understand about me is that I’m not one who generally remembers dreams.  Even when I wake up to them, I often have difficulty remembering the details.  On the rare occasion that I actually do remember a dream, I consider it a pretty good indicator that it came from God.  So you can imagine my surprise when I woke up the second time, and not only did I remember the Chess dream, but I also had an extremely clear interpretation of it.

The Interpretation…

Concerning current events, I feel like God had laid out the scene to basically reassure me that the GAME’S NOT OVER!  The King (Jesus) and Queen (the bride…aka, the church) are still in position; exactly where they’re supposed to be; in the very capable Hands of the Master Chess Player. 

Though His opponent is very persuasive in making the world think the game is over, the truth of the matter is he doesn’t know the game as well as he thinks he does.  The enemy has manipulated the pieces, circumstances, and people to make lies appear true, which has caused many to become distraught. 

Believers have leaned unto their own understanding, their own intellect and their own pride.  This has caused many to question and doubt God, as well as His anointed.  Some are angrily trying to defend the logic/truth of the game while others are coming into alignment with the lying spirit of the world.  The result is a lot of ridiculing, belittling, and/or demonizing one another.  There is great division!

I don’t usually publish my dreams, but I believe this is one the Lord wants me to share as encouragement to the body of Christ in this hour.  Please continue to trust God!  The game’s not over!  God, and God alone (not man), will get ALL THE GLORY FOR HIS NEXT MOVE!!  Trust Him!!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
   and lean not on your own understanding

Prov 3:5