Stormy River: A Tale of Two Shepherds

     In a dream, I saw a large river. The water was choppy due to increasing winds from an approaching storm. The water was moving swiftly toward a water fall. Groups of people, were standing on log rafts as they sailed the swift water. They were aware of the stormy atmosphere and knew their end lied ahead of them. Their leader, who wore a pirate’s hat, knew what was coming. He was aware of the storm too. He knew their end was near. As he stood alone on his raft and looked ahead, he pulled out his hairbrush and brushed his hair. I’m not sure of the number of individual rafts that followed him, but there were several.

     I looked over at a raft following the leader. I saw a married couple caressing each other and saying their goodbyes. They knew they were approaching a water fall and that they would not survive it. The husband looked at his wife with sadness as she said, “but we have love.” Then, they kissed. I understood her to mean that they loved each other and knew God loved them too. They were saved though they would not survive the fall. They would make it to Heaven.

     I looked farther across the river and saw a large log raft that held a small group of about 20-30 people. On this raft, stood two men caring for them. One man seemed to be the main leader as the other assisted him. These men were totally unaware of the storm and had no clue of the upcoming water fall. They never looked up or around to check their surroundings. They kept their heads down as the fervently focused on the babies they were tending to. These men worked continuously feeding babies, changing babies, and holding babies. They were their sole caregivers.

     I peered in a little more to get a better view. What I saw was startling. I struggle to describe the horrible scene. The babies were not actual babies but were severely deformed adults. Their faces were twisted with extreme deformation. They were scary to look at. I knew they suffered from severe malnutrition. They could not walk, talk, dress themselves, eat solid food, or even think on their own. The only thing they had ever eaten was milk. The lack of nutrients destroyed their bodies and they never developed into healthy adults. These two men never looked up, never rested, and was oblivious to the doom that lied ahead. They were about to be taken by surprise by the water fall.

     I woke up.

     As I prayed and pondered what The Lord was telling me. It came to me that these were two types of congregations lead by two types of pastors. There are many details in this dream. I will share some important points.

     The first congregation had spiritual insight and loved God, yet they were embellished with vanity. They were well aware of their surroundings and the spiritual climate. Their end was coming, yet it was more important to them to look good. The pastor clearly focused on his image. The people followed their pastor in his vanity as though they endorsed that kind of behavior. They too seemed to carry spiritual pride. By the appearance of their rafts, their foundation was strong; the leader obviously taught them well. However, they got lost at sea with glitz and glamour! Vanity was greater than their Fear of the Lord. I say this because I saw no one prayed to The Lord! No one humbled themself under the mighty hand of God acknowledging Him or asking Him for help. It was as though they accepted the fact that their end was near. They totally neglected looking to God for mercy. No one prayed. No one worshiped God. They were entirely self-focused. The leader just brushed his hair! 

 According to Merriam-Webster, vanity is:
1. Inflated pride in oneself or one's appearance : conceit.
2. Something that is vain, empty or valueless.


     “Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, For my heart rejoiced in all my labor; And this was my reward from all my labor. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and on the labor in which I had toiled; And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun.”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬


     “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

     The second congregation was almost lifeless. To say that they were immature Christians is an understatement. I have no words to describe their deformities and weaknesses. They did not have the intelligence to know what deformity, weakness, and immaturity meant. Their two leaders were their two shepherds. Perhaps a pastor and a deacon. These two men never looked up. They had no clue they were in a storm. They were afloat life's troubled seas, but did not know it. They appeared to work day in and day out tending to their congregation, yet neglecting to focus on growth and development. Having no knowledge of the things of the spirit, the best they could do was keep their congregation alive. I believe this meant they were saved, but nothing more. These were scarcely living their life waiting to make it to heaven. This kind of immaturity is extremely dangerous and equally as self-focused. They were nearing their end. These two men not only neglected to ask God for help, there was an entire congregation on their raft and no one was capable of lifting a finger to help. Again, I saw no one humble themself and pray to God asking Him for mercy. 

     I share this dream as a genuine concern for this generation. I'm sorry, but my grandchildren need much more than this!!! Their life and future depend on It. God's plan is and has always been to redeem a Bride and have intimate fellowship with her! She is destined to be a warrior Bride, born to destroy the works of the devil and release His Kingdom on the earth. Neither congregation even scratched the surface! My prayer (agree with me please) is that God will raise up 'His leaders' that are tried and true! Leaders that are in love with God having a fiery intimate relationship with The Lord, Jesus Christ. No intimacy with God, no leader! I'm asking The Lord to raise up His Bride in this hour to co-labor with Him to train up a generation in the way they should go! I'm asking that Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers rise and the setting down of those who have missed the mark.

      I'm not saying these are the only two types of churches we have, but they are two types of what is out there. Vanity and Immaturity! May God consume us with His love! The only antidote that comes to my mind is the fiery love of God! That we love Him more than anything and submit to all that He asks of us. That we would carry a fire and a zeal to carry out heaven's purpose on this earth. That we desire to be strong, Spirit-filled and powerful followers of Jesus because we love Him! That we would love our neighbor as we love ourself wanting them to love Him and carry His power too! That our grandchildren's future and spiritual life would mean more than our image. God hep us! Help us to look to you in all things and disciple mature, healthy Christians that are in love with you! Ones with the power to weather any storm never neglecting to worship you! 

     Set me as a seal upon your heart, As a seal upon your arm; For love is as strong as death, Jealousy as cruel as the grave;
Its flames are flames of fire, A most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, Nor can the floods drown it.
If a man would give for love  All the wealth of his house, It would be utterly despised. Song of Solomon 8: 6-7
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       Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 

    Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;  does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;  bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
   Love never fails.  1 Corinthians 13:1-8b

Becky Keener