My Haunting Dream
A bride. Dirty and gaunt, too weak to hold up her head, sprawled across Jesus’s lap. Head cast down, His hair falling forward, covering His face, He wept. Deep sobs racking His body. She lay there, unmoving.
Slowly His head lifted. His tear filled, red rimmed eyes pleaded before He even spoke. “My bride is weak and sick. Who will nourish her? Who will make her ready for my return?”
I awoke with a jolt. Sweat broke out across my body. Is this how Jesus sees me? Sees His bride? Weak, sick and malnourished? Does He weep over our lack of vibrancy– our beauty and radiance diminished by this dirty and devilish world?
How I Choose My Word for 2021
I always start praying about my word for the year about midway through December. Having a word keeps this scatterbrained girl focused. Last year my word was, “Declare,” as I sensed the LORD pressing me to be more intentional and confident in sharing the gospel. As I pray I acknowledge to the LORD, “Jesus I want to be your vessel, used by You for your purposes. Of fit service to you, ready and willing to be poured out. Show me where and how you want me to serve. Without Your hand upon me, I am useless. Show me your heart for your church and for the world.”
An immobile vessel accomplished nothing other than to store something for a later time. And 2021 feels so urgent. As if the time is NOW for God to move among us. Can I get an amen?
Interpreting the Dream
I pondered this dream for several days. Why did Jesus allow me to dream this? What did it mean? A dear mentor asked me how she could pray for me. I told her how I was seeking the LORD for my word for 2021 and my haunting dream. She chuckled. “Erica, I think God already answered your prayer. He’s asking you to feed His bride!”. Two days later, I hopped on the phone with a long time friend and the first words out of her mouth were, “I’m sensing how hungry God’s women are. They lack nourishment.”
I’m listening, LORD.
That’s always the second step in choosing my word for the year. First prayer. Then listening. As I sit with Him in His Word and as I spend time with the family of God in community.
Nourish
That’s my word for 2021. Nourish. Pause and ponder these definitions:
- Provide with the food or other substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition.
- Enhance the fertility of
- Keep (a feeling or belief) in one’s mind, typically for a long time.
Our food is His Word. Digested within the community of the saints enabling every last drop of nutrients to strengthen and equip us. Through the Word our faith increases and we become more fruitful and fertile in our Kingdom work. We must keep the return of the Master in the forefront of our minds at all times. He is coming back. Will He find us weak and sick or beautiful and vibrant, ready to receive Him with joy?
Come Sit At the Table
Dearest one, as I embark on 2021 and this call to nourish- through my own fervent pursuit of Him in His Word, in prayer and in community with my brothers and sisters in Christ, please know my heart is with you and for you. I would love to hear how I can be used by Him to nourish you! Please know I always have a seat just for you at the table of my heart to prayerfully nourish you well. If there is something I can do, I would love to hear your thoughts!
What’s your word for 2021?Â
Do you find yourself spiritually or emotionally weary and in need of nourishment? How can I serve you during this season?
Erica Wiggenhorn is the author of Unexplainable Jesus: Rediscovering the God You Thought You Knew along with two other Unexplainable Studies by Moody Publishers. You can also find  her teaching on her YouTube Channel and Moody Publisher’s On Demand Vimeo Channel.
Connect with Erica here or send her an email at contacteverylifeministries@gmail.com.
