December 20, 2023
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Read Along:
Lit with Love
by Katie Bennett Hobson
I had a college friend who received dreams directly from God. She had total clarity about what these visions meant—they guided her every decision. I have often prayed for that kind of explicit direction, wondering if my tendency to overthink acts as a vision-blocker.
Questioner that I am, I once had a dream where the voice of God spoke to me. I was standing on a path in a forest near a cottage. The path stretched ahead of me and turned into the shadows of the trees. In the way you just know things in the world of dreams, I knew God was there. I said, “I’m afraid to walk the path because I can’t see where it leads.” Slightly confused, God said, “The path is beautiful and lit with my love.” I looked down and saw the path was dappled with sunlight.
When I woke up, God’s statement seemed like a classic biblical non-answer. I interpreted the dream to be about risks worth taking, noting wryly that God was not guaranteeing my safety on this path. But years later, I see something else: maybe God was just responding directly to my voiced concern. “I can’t see the path.” “Yes, you can. Look at it. It is illuminated.” Said differently, you can see where to go because the way has two features: (1) it is beautiful, and (2) God’s love is visible in it. What does this dream say to you? I invite you to overthink it with me.
“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way.”
“You can prepare
but still it will come to you by surprise,
crossing through your doorway,
calling your name in greeting,
turning like a child who quickens suddenly within you.
It will astonish you
how wide your heart will open in welcome
For the joy that finds you so ready
and still so unprepared.”
