Zoe Christo

I had two dreams I’ve been processing for a while. The first was political, and in it I saw the winner of the election, and I heard a name given to the President–elect. The second was of the throne room in heaven, and of something God is about to send to the earth. There’s been so much information and misinformation, opinion and manipulation, passion and hate, fear and well, more fear out there—I didn’t want to release something I didn’t feel confident He was telling me to write. So, I’ve just been praying and thinking about them. While we were singing “Can’t Help Falling in Love” at church yesterday, I heard in my heart I had a choice of which dream I would write about. One, but not both.

That seemed odd, even for me. I kept asking Him, and the only peace I had was on releasing just one of them. I thought about the political one first. I’d already begun a rough draft, including my own observations and analyses of what’s been going on. I’m no expert, but neither am I uninformed. I majored in Political Science and History, and I still have great interest in them, and I have strong views on this election. The more I thought about them, the more intense I got in my own head. I was coming up with some ideas riding that thin line between clever and sarcastic, and getting anxious to write them down.

Anxious. I realized even before I wrote a word, the fruit of what I was producing wasn’t Him. I know there are many who are called to live and write from that political realm every day. This election is critical and the issues are as important as any our country has faced in modern times. But as I took a step back, I could see my motivations were less for expressing God’s heart to my nation than validating my own opinions and proving myself right. In my heart, I put all that down in front of Him. Instantly I was immersed in the other dream.

Jesus’ throne wasn’t so much in a room as a realm. There’s not an adequate word to describe its scale. It had no ceiling, but was under a vast sky of stars and planets and nebulae, whirling and arcing in a never–ending dance. You could see them in minute detail if you stared long enough. The floor, if you could call it that, was both solid and liquid at the same time. It looked like shimmering crystal, but there were people and creatures swimming deep below and leaping from it high into the air. I could feel a strong, constant current, a flow from the throne to the edge of the horizon.

The place was filled with so many people and angels—millions and millions, but no one was crowded, and everyone had a clear view of Jesus. Though the focus was clearly on Him, many were laughing and speaking with each other. Others were diving, flying, kneeling, dancing. With every breath, I could feel the love, joy, and peace as tangible elements permeating everything and everyone.

As I studied this sea of life, I noticed a difference among the crowds. Most were clothed in what seemed like cloth made of colored light, like each person had a certain prism color he or she emanated. They had a look of belonging to the glory that illuminated the air. But there were a few others like me, darker and heavier, more solid. I realized we were the visitors.

Something was happening near the throne. Everyone intently looked to Jesus, who seemed both within a short run and many miles away. A sound was pulsing from around Him, and it took me a minute to understand what it was. Two words were being repeated, and by the time those around me took up the call, it was thunderous.

“Zoe Christo!”

“Zoe Christo!”

“ZOE CHRISTO!”

I know “zoe” is Greek for “life,” and what they were declaring over and over was, “Life of Christ!” I couldn’t help but join them. Though I started quietly, the words swelled and produced a power greater than anything I’d ever experienced. The sound coming out of me was so strong and loud I was certain it could shatter rock. And yet with each repetition there was also a revelation of humility, of knowing there is no life, no hope, no joy without Jesus. Everything that wasn’t Him in me was exposed and displaced by His life. With each “Zoe Christo,” the deepening awe transformed the anxiety, self–pity, and bitterness to faith, hope, and love. It was a love I wanted to share, and I wondered how to carry this back with me.

The current under my feet became stronger, like an electric undertow. The water/glass began raising up in swells at Jesus’ feet. The sound of millions declaring with supernatural strength that Jesus is the life seemed to reached a peak, and an impossibly loud thunder clap rolled across the sky, as if the universe was answering.

Jesus stood.

There was a shout greater than anything I had yet heard, a joy beyond earthly description. When He rose, the ripples became waves four or five feet high that grew as they rolled to the horizon. Instinctively, we who were visiting knew this was our time. Each of us jumped on a wave and surfed it to the edge. In complete confidence, we leaped out as far as we could  and found ourselves back on earth, standing in a life–giving rainfall.

As I came out of the memory of my dream, I asked Him where to begin. The dream was so powerful, but here circumstances hadn’t changed. Bitterness, anger, injustice, and fear were as close as my Facebook and Twitter feeds. In my heart I heard: “Lift up your eyes.” I knew He meant to stop looking at the natural things. Yes, we have to deal with life in the natural. But we don’t have to deal with it naturally. If you are a son or daughter of the King of the Universe, you get to live supernaturally. You get to see life from heaven’s perspective, and speak life from Jesus’ throne room.

We all know the verse in Ephesians 6 that admonishes us that our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces. But if your eyes are only on what might go wrong, on what injustice has happened, on what you could lose, then all you’ll see is flesh, and be out for blood. You’ll actually empower what you hate, and end up becoming your own twisted version of it because it’s all you’re focused on. You either occupy love, or fear will occupy you.

I know the issues, and I know the stakes everyone is obsessed with. But I also know what’s really going on is far larger. And God is so much more than it all, if you’ll let Him be. Dream big. Bigger. No, even bigger than that! Seriously, God is waiting for you to get a clue as to what’s possible. His dreams for you are epic in the truest sense of the word, dreams that move hearts and change lives, and empower you to live your life in its fullest destiny and joy.

What would the world be like if we were so secure in our relationship with God that it became our delight to bless, equip, and empower people to hear Him for themselves, regardless of whether they agreed with our political views or not? In God’s kingdom, you occupy territory with your peace—being so intimate with Him you’re completely at rest in His presence no matter the circumstances. The peace of God in you is far greater than the storm facing you. Lift your eyes to see Jesus, then you can release your peace until it overwhelms the storm.

Yes, vote. Be involved. But regardless of what happens, determine to occupy the next four years with the very best you’re capable of being in Christ. Be positive, passionate, and persevering. Be creative, industrious, relational, faithful, courageous, and kind. Love God, love yourself, love your neighbor, love your country. See life, speak life, give life, and live your life in supernatural demonstration of His.

“Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens. Ask yourself who created it all. It’s He who brings out the stars one by one, and calls each of them by name.Because of His great power and mighty strength, nothing is missing” (Isaiah 40:26).