Emergency Rest

"Adam, come rest a while!"

The dream in which these words were spoken occurred slightly after four in the morning on September 11. It was a short dream. In the dream an internationally known ministry leader was telling a story to a group of us. He told us that once, during some extremely bad times, his daughter had called to him to come sit on the couch with her. When he did not respond to her request, she called out more insistently, "Adam, come rest a while!"

The fact that the name of this man is not Adam gives even more emphasis to the daughter's use of that name. The name Adam literally means mankind. I believe the Lord was communicating clearly that during the bad times which were about to begin, we need to rest in him.

If you are like me, this reminder is desperately needed. Any time there are bad circumstances in our nation there is also ample opportunity for ministry. At such times it is easy to be so busy that we begin to lose intimacy with the Lord. This steals our rest. We can also get so caught up in the news media as it breathlessly informs us of each dire event and pontificates on the possibilities, that it can leave us breathless. At such times it is all too simple to step out of our peace in the Lord. This leaves us vulnerable. It also takes us out of position to capitalize on the genuine opportunities the Lord may be giving us.

About a week after I received the dream I was reminded of something which I had not remembered. The internationally known ministry leader in the dream had written an evangelism program known as Evangelism Explosion. In the dream's context, I believe this speaks of an evangelistic opportunity during these times if we will strive to enter into the Lord's rest. An explosion of salvations can follow the explosion of hatred which occurred on September 11 if we remain firmly in Him.

The writer to the Hebrews gave excellent marching orders when he wrote, "Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest" (Hebrews 4:11). In the dream, I was reminded that I needed to personally apply this scripture in the days which are ahead. I believe we must all be diligent about this, now more than ever. The Lord is raising the volume: "Adam, come rest a while!"

- Randal Cutter