Finger Wound

God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. - Hebrews 6:18-20

The injury was more than I could bear. While it did not hurt physically, the pain delved deep inside, slicing open all the dreams I held dear.

Strange, but familiar, the wound in my index finger created a gap large enough to see bone. As the day wore on, the injury grew larger. I felt terrified.

"I had that happen to me before," my friend said. "You will not be able to use that finger for anything -- cooking, cleaning, writing, typing -- for nine months!"

Nine months? I looked at the wound, and thought about my writing goals in the coming weeks and months. Deadlines to keep, curriculum to study, queries to submit -- all cut short by an exaggerated finger scrape.

As I woke up from the warped and disturbing dream this morning, I checked my finger carefully. There was no wound.

There are circumstances in our lives that instigate fear, even imagined ones. The dreams that carry us over and above clouds as we sleep, harbor our greatest desires and our deepest fears. While I haven't done a lot of studying up on dreams and their meaning, I do believe that the things we dream can reflect our biggest aspirations as well as unresolved hurts and hang-ups.

It is funny (or maybe not so funny) how the emotions of a dream can be carried into reality, even though we know that is not logical. But then again, when are emotions ever logical?

I find rest today, knowing that there lives an unchanging and recognizable anchor for this soul. Jesus. My healer of little scrapes and gaping emotional wounds. Whether my dreams hold hopes of publication or fears of the boogie-man, I can be certain I will always be rescued.

God's Word is my life. His purposes will prevail.