{"id":44944,"date":"2020-11-05T01:41:01","date_gmt":"2020-11-04T22:41:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=44944"},"modified":"2025-05-08T23:14:52","modified_gmt":"2025-05-08T20:14:52","slug":"dreaming-of-being-in-a-foreign-country","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2020\/11\/05\/dreaming-of-being-in-a-foreign-country\/","title":{"rendered":"Dreaming of being in a foreign country"},"content":{"rendered":"
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When <\/span>you <\/span>travel <\/span>to <\/span>a <\/span>new <\/span>place\u2014<\/span>especially <\/span>outside <\/span>your <\/span>native <\/span>country\u2014<\/span>you <\/span>encounter <\/span>many <\/span>changes. <\/span>The <\/span>language <\/span>may <\/span>be <\/span>unfamiliar, <\/span>the <\/span>people <\/span>may <\/span>look <\/span>and <\/span>behave <\/span>differently, <\/span>the <\/span>weather <\/span>might <\/span>be <\/span>extreme, <\/span>and <\/span>even <\/span>the <\/span>culture <\/span>might <\/span>challenge <\/span>your <\/span>comfort. <\/span>In <\/span>such <\/span>an <\/span>environment, <\/span>you <\/span>may <\/span>feel <\/span>disoriented, <\/span>unsafe, <\/span>or <\/span>simply <\/span>not <\/span>at <\/span>home.<\/span><\/p>\n

This <\/span>experience <\/span>mirrors <\/span>what <\/span>happens <\/span>spiritually <\/span>when <\/span>we <\/span>are <\/span>far <\/span>from <\/span>God.<\/span><\/p>\n

A <\/span>Biblical <\/span>Picture: <\/span>Israel <\/span>in <\/span>Exile<\/span><\/h3>\n

Consider <\/span>the <\/span>Israelites <\/span>when <\/span>they <\/span>were <\/span>taken <\/span>captive <\/span>to <\/span>Babylon. <\/span>This <\/span>was <\/span>not <\/span>just <\/span>a <\/span>physical <\/span>relocation, <\/span>but <\/span>a <\/span>deep <\/span>spiritual <\/span>trauma. <\/span>They <\/span>were <\/span>uprooted <\/span>from <\/span>the <\/span>land <\/span>God <\/span>had <\/span>given <\/span>them, <\/span>and <\/span>in <\/span>Babylon <\/span>they <\/span>found <\/span>no <\/span>joy <\/span>or <\/span>peace. <\/span>Psalm <\/span>137 <\/span>gives <\/span>us <\/span>a <\/span>moving <\/span>picture <\/span>of <\/span>this:<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201c<\/span>By <\/span>the <\/span>rivers <\/span>of <\/span>Babylon <\/span>we <\/span>sat <\/span>and <\/span>wept <\/span>when <\/span>we <\/span>remembered <\/span>Zion.<\/span>
There <\/span>on <\/span>the <\/span>poplars <\/span>we <\/span>hung <\/span>our <\/span>harps,<\/span>
for <\/span>there <\/span>our <\/span>captors <\/span>asked <\/span>us <\/span>for <\/span>songs,<\/span>
our <\/span>tormentors <\/span>demanded <\/span>songs <\/span>of <\/span>joy;<\/span>
they <\/span>said, \u2018<\/span>Sing <\/span>us <\/span>one <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>songs <\/span>of <\/span>Zion!\u2019<\/span>
How <\/span>can <\/span>we <\/span>sing <\/span>the <\/span>songs <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>Lord <\/span>while <\/span>in <\/span>a <\/span>foreign <\/span>land?\u201d<\/span>
\u2014 <\/span>Psalm <\/span>137:<\/span>1\u2013<\/span>4 (<\/span>NIV)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

These <\/span>verses <\/span>reflect <\/span>a <\/span>profound <\/span>sorrow. <\/span>The <\/span>Israelites <\/span>were <\/span>not <\/span>just <\/span>physically <\/span>in <\/span>exile\u2014<\/span>they <\/span>were <\/span>spiritually <\/span>displaced. <\/span>Their <\/span>captors <\/span>demanded <\/span>entertainment, <\/span>but <\/span>how <\/span>could <\/span>they <\/span>celebrate <\/span>when <\/span>they <\/span>were <\/span>far <\/span>from <\/span>the <\/span>place <\/span>of <\/span>God\u2019s <\/span>presence?<\/span><\/p>\n

What <\/span>Does <\/span>It <\/span>Mean <\/span>to <\/span>Dream <\/span>of <\/span>Being <\/span>in <\/span>a <\/span>Foreign <\/span>Land?<\/span><\/h3>\n

If <\/span>you <\/span>find <\/span>yourself <\/span>dreaming <\/span>of <\/span>living <\/span>or <\/span>wandering <\/span>in <\/span>a <\/span>foreign <\/span>land, <\/span>it <\/span>could <\/span>be <\/span>a <\/span>spiritual <\/span>message.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. <\/span>If <\/span>You <\/span>Are <\/span>Saved (<\/span>a <\/span>Born-<\/span>Again <\/span>Believer):<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

God <\/span>may <\/span>be <\/span>warning <\/span>you <\/span>that <\/span>you\u2019re <\/span>drifting <\/span>away <\/span>from <\/span>His <\/span>will. <\/span>That <\/span>dream <\/span>could <\/span>be <\/span>a <\/span>symbol <\/span>of <\/span>spiritual <\/span>disconnection\u2014<\/span>living <\/span>outside <\/span>of <\/span>God\u2019s \u201c<\/span>promised <\/span>land\u201d <\/span>for <\/span>your <\/span>life. <\/span>It <\/span>might <\/span>mean <\/span>that <\/span>your <\/span>faith <\/span>is <\/span>growing <\/span>cold, <\/span>and <\/span>God <\/span>is <\/span>calling <\/span>you <\/span>to <\/span>return, <\/span>to <\/span>remain <\/span>in <\/span>His <\/span>presence <\/span>and <\/span>obedience.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. <\/span>If <\/span>You <\/span>Are <\/span>Not <\/span>Yet <\/span>Saved:<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

The <\/span>dream <\/span>may <\/span>reveal <\/span>your <\/span>current <\/span>spiritual <\/span>state. <\/span>You <\/span>are <\/span>like <\/span>someone <\/span>living <\/span>in <\/span>a <\/span>land <\/span>that <\/span>is <\/span>not <\/span>your <\/span>home. <\/span>No <\/span>matter <\/span>how <\/span>pleasant <\/span>life <\/span>may <\/span>appear <\/span>on <\/span>the <\/span>surface, <\/span>there <\/span>is <\/span>no <\/span>true <\/span>freedom <\/span>or <\/span>peace <\/span>outside <\/span>of <\/span>Christ. <\/span>Sin <\/span>brings <\/span>separation <\/span>from <\/span>God, <\/span>just <\/span>as <\/span>exile <\/span>separated <\/span>Israel <\/span>from <\/span>Zion.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>Bible <\/span>says:<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201c<\/span>What <\/span>benefit <\/span>did <\/span>you <\/span>reap <\/span>at <\/span>that <\/span>time <\/span>from <\/span>the <\/span>things <\/span>you <\/span>are <\/span>now <\/span>ashamed <\/span>of? <\/span>Those <\/span>things <\/span>result <\/span>in <\/span>death!\u201d<\/span>
\u2014 <\/span>Romans <\/span>6:<\/span>21 (<\/span>NIV)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

You <\/span>may <\/span>feel <\/span>surrounded <\/span>by <\/span>the <\/span>wrong <\/span>influences\u2014<\/span>relationships, <\/span>addictions, <\/span>or <\/span>habits <\/span>that <\/span>are <\/span>not <\/span>what <\/span>God <\/span>intended <\/span>for <\/span>your <\/span>life. <\/span>But <\/span>the <\/span>good <\/span>news <\/span>is <\/span>that <\/span>you <\/span>don’t <\/span>have <\/span>to <\/span>remain <\/span>in <\/span>exile.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>Call <\/span>to <\/span>Come <\/span>Home<\/span><\/h3>\n

Just <\/span>like <\/span>the <\/span>Prodigal <\/span>Son<\/span><\/strong> who <\/span>wasted <\/span>his <\/span>inheritance <\/span>in <\/span>a <\/span>distant <\/span>land <\/span>but <\/span>eventually <\/span>came <\/span>to <\/span>his <\/span>senses <\/span>and <\/span>returned <\/span>to <\/span>his <\/span>father (<\/span>Luke <\/span>15:<\/span>11\u2013<\/span>24), <\/span>you <\/span>too <\/span>can <\/span>come <\/span>back <\/span>to <\/span>your <\/span>Heavenly <\/span>Father. <\/span>His <\/span>arms <\/span>are <\/span>always <\/span>open.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, <\/span>like <\/span>Cain<\/span><\/strong>, <\/span>who <\/span>after <\/span>killing <\/span>his <\/span>brother <\/span>became <\/span>a <\/span>restless <\/span>wanderer (<\/span>Genesis <\/span>4:<\/span>12), <\/span>life <\/span>outside <\/span>of <\/span>God’s <\/span>presence <\/span>leads <\/span>to <\/span>aimlessness <\/span>and <\/span>loss <\/span>of <\/span>peace.<\/span><\/p>\n

But <\/span>today, <\/span>you <\/span>can <\/span>make <\/span>a <\/span>choice. <\/span>Jesus <\/span>Christ <\/span>invites <\/span>all <\/span>people\u2014<\/span>regardless <\/span>of <\/span>background, <\/span>religion, <\/span>or <\/span>past <\/span>sins\u2014<\/span>to <\/span>come <\/span>to <\/span>Him. <\/span>He <\/span>offers <\/span>rest <\/span>for <\/span>your <\/span>soul <\/span>and <\/span>eternal <\/span>security <\/span>in <\/span>Him:<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201c<\/span>Come <\/span>to <\/span>me, <\/span>all <\/span>you <\/span>who <\/span>are <\/span>weary <\/span>and <\/span>burdened, <\/span>and <\/span>I <\/span>will <\/span>give <\/span>you <\/span>rest.\u201d<\/span>
\u2014 <\/span>Matthew <\/span>11:<\/span>28 (<\/span>NIV)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

A <\/span>Step <\/span>Toward <\/span>Restoration: <\/span>The <\/span>Prayer <\/span>of <\/span>Repentance<\/span><\/h3>\n

If <\/span>you <\/span>feel <\/span>lost, <\/span>far <\/span>from <\/span>God, <\/span>or <\/span>spiritually <\/span>in <\/span>exile, <\/span>know <\/span>that <\/span>Jesus <\/span>can <\/span>bring <\/span>you <\/span>back <\/span>into <\/span>fellowship <\/span>with <\/span>God. <\/span>He <\/span>paid <\/span>the <\/span>price <\/span>for <\/span>your <\/span>redemption <\/span>through <\/span>His <\/span>death <\/span>and <\/span>resurrection. <\/span>All <\/span>He <\/span>asks <\/span>is <\/span>that <\/span>you <\/span>turn <\/span>to <\/span>Him <\/span>in <\/span>faith.<\/span><\/p>\n

If <\/span>you’re <\/span>ready, <\/span>you <\/span>can <\/span>say <\/span>a <\/span>prayer <\/span>like <\/span>this:<\/span><\/p>\n

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Prayer <\/span>of <\/span>Repentance<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Lord <\/span>Jesus, <\/span>I <\/span>come <\/span>to <\/span>You <\/span>today <\/span>knowing <\/span>that <\/span>I <\/span>have <\/span>sinned <\/span>and <\/span>gone <\/span>far <\/span>from <\/span>You. <\/span>I <\/span>have <\/span>tried <\/span>to <\/span>live <\/span>life <\/span>on <\/span>my <\/span>own, <\/span>but <\/span>I <\/span>now <\/span>realize <\/span>that <\/span>only <\/span>in <\/span>You <\/span>is <\/span>true <\/span>peace <\/span>found. <\/span>Forgive <\/span>me, <\/span>cleanse <\/span>me, <\/span>and <\/span>make <\/span>me <\/span>new. <\/span>I <\/span>believe <\/span>You <\/span>died <\/span>for <\/span>my <\/span>sins <\/span>and <\/span>rose <\/span>again. <\/span>I <\/span>open <\/span>my <\/span>heart <\/span>to <\/span>You\u2014<\/span>come <\/span>into <\/span>my <\/span>life, <\/span>be <\/span>my <\/span>Savior <\/span>and <\/span>my <\/span>Lord. <\/span>Thank <\/span>You <\/span>for <\/span>accepting <\/span>me. <\/span>In <\/span>Your <\/span>name <\/span>I <\/span>pray, <\/span>Amen.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Final <\/span>Word:<\/span><\/strong>
\nJust <\/span>as <\/span>God <\/span>eventually <\/span>restored <\/span>Israel <\/span>from <\/span>exile, <\/span>He <\/span>longs <\/span>to <\/span>restore <\/span>you. <\/span>You <\/span>were <\/span>not <\/span>created <\/span>to <\/span>live <\/span>as <\/span>a <\/span>spiritual <\/span>foreigner. <\/span>Come <\/span>home <\/span>today\u2014<\/span>and <\/span>experience <\/span>the <\/span>joy <\/span>of <\/span>living <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>kingdom <\/span>of <\/span>God, <\/span>where <\/span>you <\/span>truly <\/span>belong.<\/span><\/p>\n

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