Pastor Seigo’s Vision (as shared in the May 10, 2009 worship service)
Back in January of this year (2009), I had a dream that was so real that has seared into my memory. It was so real, so startling, and extremely convicting that once I woke up from it, I could not go back to sleep. Before I share this, I want to preface that I have never had a dream like this before. For a long time, I wondered if I would ever share this with anyone because I did not want others to think that I am crazy or anything. However, since I know that God can speak through dreams and with Chiyeko’s reassurance, I am able to share this with you five months later.
In my dream I was overlooking a field. As I was standing in front of a large wooden barn with great big doors, my eyes followed the wooden fence that outlined this field. This field wasn’t a vast one with endless borders, but one that wasn’t small either. There was quite a bit of land within its borders. It was obvious that this field was not in the best condition. In fact, it was all dried up, so much so that the red and brown dirt had great big cracks throughout, like the dried up lakes. As I scanned the field, there was no sign of vegetation or moisture…until my eyes fell upon the great big tree right in the middle of the field.
I am not sure if he was always there or if I just happened to notice him at that point, but in the second that I saw the tree, there was a man that was standing next to me. In a gentle voice, he told me to go with him to that tree. And just as he said that, we immediately were transported at the base of the tree. As I began to look at this tree, it was even more majestic than when I saw it from afar. It was a really healthy and robust tree, with a large trunk and big branches. The leaves were deep green and it was filled with a bright red fruit, which I think were apples, but I cannot be sure. The man that was with me spoke admirably of the tree, praising on how healthy it is. And in that moment, I remember having a great big smile and a sense of pride began to swell up, realizing that I had some part in it.
After a few moments, as the man turned to me, he pointed out to the rest of the field and said, “But what about the rest of this? What will you do about this?” And just as I previously felt proud, I became deeply aware of the enormous task that stood before me. Looking at that field, I knew that it would take a lot of work to make that dried up and neglected field viable for any planting to occur. But I knew that this man was telling me that I had to start working that field so that the whole filed would have large healthy fruit producing trees that that one in the middle. And after that realization, I woke up.
While I do not hold this vision as highly as the Bible, it has confirmed what I believe to be God’s desire for me and for you. Out of this dream (as well as through several conversations), I am convinced that it was a confirmation of at least several things:
- God has a fruitful future planned for us as LA Holiness Church. We don’t know when we will see it, or even if we will see it with our human eyes, but this is what God has planned for us.
- We can celebrate the growth and fruit that has occurred in our midst. There are many things that we can and should celebrate. The fruit we presently have and have had in the past is evidence that we have been on the right track.
- And thirdly, we have a large task to undertake right now for the greater fruit to take place. We need to do the hard work of tilling the soil, working the ground with our prayers so that the showers of revival would find fertile ground. Each of us will encounter situations that will call for sacrifices to be made for this to occur. We will need to encourage each other to continue in the mission that God has called for us.
My prayer is that we will undertake what God is calling us to do, and in essence, closer to what God has designed for us to be.
Seigo Takayoshi