The Vision
In my dream, a young man in a simple white suit stood beside a beautiful yet deceptive woman. They were isolated in a wild, open field, with no one else around. The man appeared to be in a trance, as if under some sort of spell by the woman.
They walked together toward a hill by a flowing river. When he caught sight of the river and a plain brown basket full of brightly colored balloons to his right, he abruptly snapped out of his daze. Realizing the woman’s deceitful intent, he cursed her and broke off the nearly-made vow of marriage she had tried to trick him into.
He jumped into the basket, and the multi-colored balloons lifted him into the sky. Floating away, he passed over the river and rolling green hills. Along the journey, he noticed a dead tree branch with six faded pink balloons tied to it. However, he kept his focus forward, confident that he was heading toward a better place filled with friends and family.
Interpretation
In the dream, the young man in the simple white suit represents a soul striving for purity, yet vulnerable to deception. The woman symbolizes temptation and the wicked allure of the world. They find themselves alone in the wilderness, much like Jesus was tempted in the desert. (Matthew 4:1-11)
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[c]”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.
9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Matthew 4:1-11
The man’s initial enthrallment with the woman evokes the deceptive allure that worldly temptations often hold. Yet, he wakes from his trance, resisting the temptation, just as James 4:7 instructs,
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
James 4:7
His waking from the trance is akin to spiritual awakening.
The River and The Basket:
The flowing river beside them can be likened to the “river of the water of life”.
“And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. symbolizing God’s eternal provisions and blessings.“
Revelation 22:1
The basket with multicolored balloons signifies the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit, as described in Galatians 5:22-24.
” But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”
Galatians 5:22-24
Breaking Free:
When the man jumps into the basket, it represents a decision to break free from sin and choose the gifts of the Spirit. He is lifted up and carried away, akin to being ‘born again’ (John 3:3) and carried by the grace of God.
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:3
The Faded Balloons:
The dead branch with the faded balloons that he passes symbolizes the dead branches in our life that need be cut by our Holy Gardner in order for use to bear fruit.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the Gardner. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”
John 1:1-2
Conclusion:
This journey from deception to deliverance underscores the power of turning away from temptation and toward God. The unknown but promising destination the man floats toward symbolizes the heavenly reward that awaits those who stay true to their faith.
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.”
1 Peter 5:8-9
