I Prayed have prayed
God, help us to lay aside all our baggage and anything that would keep us from coming up higher in You.
Reading Time: 7 minutes

The Lord has reminded me of a dream I once had. I believe the dream is as relevant today, in our present season, as it was then — and perhaps more so. In the dream, my daughter, her family, and I were traveling. I assumed this was an adventure of sorts, because we weren’t traveling on any highways; instead, we traveled the back roads. I didn’t know where we were headed, but we were all relaxed and enjoying the journey.

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As we noticed the setting sun, we began to look for a place to spend the night. Although the drive through the country was serene and beautiful, there were no available hotel or overnight accommodations. Finally, we pulled into an old gravel driveway leading to a small country home. On the front porch of this home sat an elderly lady in a rocking chair.

We all tumbled out of the vehicle and walked up to the porch. This sweet little lady wore a short, striped apron, and I could see that her hands were busy, though I couldn’t see exactly what she was doing until we got closer. As we drew nearer, I sensed a peace surrounding her. Hers was the most beautiful countenance I had ever seen — as if the presence of God Himself surrounded her. Directly in front of her was an opened Bible on a stand. In her lap was a large bowl filled with freshly picked green beans. As she glanced up and welcomed us, I could see she was breaking beans and preparing them for canning.

I peered around the porch and noticed baskets of freshly picked vegetables all around. This wouldn’t have been odd if it had been harvesting season, but it wasn’t. It was early in the year, before spring, before the time of planting seeds. It was still months before harvest season would begin. And yet, there she sat with an abundant supply of harvest all around her. Twelve basketfuls, to be exact.

When we walked up to her, she stopped breaking beans. She moved her Bible to the side, wiped her hands on her apron, smiled, and stood to greet us. She welcomed us into her home. We went into her kitchen, but she, instead of stopping to offer us refreshment, headed up the stairs to the back of her house. We followed.

We discovered there were many more rooms upstairs than we had imagined. She led us to an area that had, to my surprise, been prepared ahead of time just for us. She turned to the right and swung open the door to a well-lit room. “This is the prophets’ room,” she said with a smile. I saw a bed, a desk, and some lamps, and there was even clothing hanging in the closet — anything one could possibly need was already there in that room. It was beautifully decorated, and its aroma drew you in. Excited, I ran downstairs to retrieve my bags from the vehicle.

I grabbed my suitcases and ran back upstairs. Arriving back at the door of the room, I found that something was drastically different — so much so that I halted in my tracks. The door was no longer a normal size, but now less than 3 feet wide. Stunned, I stood gazing at this narrow entrance, realizing how difficult it would be to squeeze my body through. I would have to turn sideways and inch my way in. There was no way my baggage would fit through this narrow space. Suddenly, a voice behind me said: “Narrow is the way that leads to life, and few find it.” I woke up. I was back home in my own bed, pondering this strange dream.

Praying and asking for insight, I soon realized that this was a call to come up higher. Consider these passages of scripture:

The way of life winds upward for the wise … (Proverbs 15:24 NKJV).

Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you (Isaiah 60:1 NKJV).

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8–9 NKJV).

After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this” (Revelation 4:1 NKJV).

And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them (Revelation 11:12 NKJV).

In the book of Exodus, chapter 24, God called Moses by saying: “Come up to the LORD. … ”

Anytime God calls us, He calls us up. Always. One reason God calls us upward is to enter His way of life: the zoe life of God. The Strong’s Concordance defines this word as: the state of one who is possessed of vitality, of the absolute fullness of life. To attain this life, we must go up in God.

In my dream, I had to go up to get to the place that was prepared for me. To me, this spoke of a time of promotion in God and a time of fruitfulness. As I shared earlier, the elderly lady was sitting in her chair, breaking beans. This is something I do when we harvest our green beans, and I am getting them ready to can — in the summer. In my dream, however, it wasn’t summer. It wasn’t even yet spring. It was not time for harvest at all, and yet there she sat with a harvest all around her.

I was immediately reminded of this word from Revelation: In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:2 NKJV).

The harvest that surrounded the elderly lady spoke of the tree of life which bore fruit every single month of the year — twelve times a year. This was further emphasized by the twelve baskets of harvest that surrounded her. I believe God was saying that when we find that place in God, the place of LIFE, we will experience the tree of life that yields fruit continually, even out of season.

In Mark 11, Jesus walked by a fig tree that was not producing fruit, and we read that He cursed that fig tree, and it died. The odd thing in this story is that it was not the season for fig trees to bear fruit — and yet Jesus expected fruit to be available to Him. Why? Because He lived in this zoe place of life in God. He EXPECTED everything within His realm to produce fruit for Him, regardless of season.

I’m also reminded of Genesis 26, when God told Isaac to sow, although there was famine in the land. In the natural, it was impossible to have a harvest with no rain. But Isaac obeyed and sowed in that land. As a result, God caused him to reap a hundredfold, even when that was otherwise impossible. What this reveals is that God will cause us to harvest even when out of season — even when it seems impossible.

You may recall that in my dream, the lady kept the Bible before her as she harvested. Even while she prepared her harvest for the next season, the word of God remained before her eyes. The word was her focus the entire time — not the harvest, not the people arriving at her home. No, it was the word of God that was her priority.

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:6 NKJV).

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 NKJV).

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63 NKJV).

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

If we are going to attain the life that God desires to give us, the word of God must stay before our eyes and in our hearts. Proverbs 3 tells us that the word of God gives life. The life we all seek is found only in the word of God. It must be a priority.

The way to life is before us. We are invited to enter in. God wants us to enter it. It is what He has prepared for us. However, there are things we cannot take with us. In the dream, the door to that room was wide open to me until I went back to get my bags. We cannot look back and move forward at the same time: Remember Lot’s wife (Luke 17:32).

We cannot take last year’s baggage into this new, higher place in God. We cannot take our disappointments or our perceived unanswered prayers into this new place. There is no room for it. And we cannot look back; we must simply arise and go higher in God.

God has a place prepared for us, ready for us to walk into. The rest is up to us. We can leave our baggage at the door and enter in — or we can allow things from the past to keep us out of the place God has for us.

If you recall, in my dream, a voice said to me: “Narrow is the way that leads to life, and few find it.” The narrow doorway in the room represented the way to life.

This scripture is found in Matthew: “Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:14 NKJV).

God is the same today as He was yesterday. He does not change. Just as He said in Deuteronomy: “… I have set before you life and death. … Now choose life … ” (Deuteronomy 30:19 NIV).

God is calling us to come up higher. Will you heed the call? Will you leave your baggage behind and lay aside the fears, hurts, and disappointments of the past? Will you step through the narrow place and embrace the abundant life God has for you? It is prepared and ready — enter in.

What did you think of this article? Share your thoughts and prayers below.

Kim Potter is a writer and the founder of A New Thing Ministries, which sends a daily teaching to thousands of people all around the world. Her articles have appeared on The Elijah List, in Charisma Magazine, and on Spirit Fuel and iBelieve.com. Kim’s message is one of hope. She speaks to the hearts of those who have grown discouraged or disappointed by the circumstances of life, to impart hope. Her daily inspirational writings are available at www.anewthingministries.com. Photo Credit: Marc-Olivier Jodoin on Unsplash.

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Grant Windholz
April 24, 2023

Our Lord God will accept any of us no matter what status we hold. We are loved because he died on the cross for our sins. Accept Jesus Christ into our hearts 💕!!

DARLYNE JONES
April 13, 2023

This is what I’ve needed today. To be reminded that I have baggage that must be left behind if I am to follow Him totally. So hard to do! The baggage seems so heavy, so ancient. It’s easy to ask forgiveness of the Lord (because I know He has already forgiven me), but so very difficult to forgive myself. Thank you, Kim. Prayer and fasting is the only answer.

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Monique
April 12, 2023

So very true.. We will “arrive” only when we enter heaven. Till then..we walk by faith, in the knowledge of His love. Seeking Jesus through His word and in obedience.

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Debi
April 12, 2023

This is exactly what I needed to hear this morning. Thank you for sharing it with us. God bless you more and more!

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Carolyn
April 12, 2023

Wow! What an right on time Word!
I love my Lord & Savior but my flesh was saying “ Throw up your hands & give up! “
No de_il not today, not ever!
My Jesus died & rose again so I could have eternal life & I will not give it up!
Hallelujah!

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NanJohnson
April 11, 2023

Recently I had an experience of going up higher through spiritual growth. My renters of 10yrs had decided to move to a bigger place. I resisted making any plans to deal with this, although I knew in my spirit that they were serious about moving. They did move in January 2023 and I was left with half my normal monthly income. God then began to work. In January they did not want their $800 deposit back and gave me another $500 because they knew my income was limited. Praise God!! They were a Christian couple. I began to pray for a good renter. No renters in February or March and insufficient income to pay all the bills. Oh God !! Please help me !! My sister stepped forward and helped me through those two months. She began to wonder how long helping me would last. I began to worry. The few possible renters did not work out. Turned to Philippians 4:6,7 and resisted the enemy with the Name of Jesus. Felt into depression and anxiety. Then I heard Perry Stone on t v tell of a new meaning God had revealed to him in Isaiah 53:5. Satan was harassing me all day long day after day by this time. Then came my breakthrough. The chastisement of our peace was upon Him …. That was what the enemy was doing to me right now in this age. Jesus had overcome this chastisement of my peace where He died and rose again in victory !! Suddenly breakthrough came and completely renewed my faith. No more harrasment. I was free and back close to Jesus again and much progress had been made in the areas of faith and trust. Trusted a little more with ease and I got the perfect renters from God. They moved in this past weekend!!! Hallelujah !! What a mighty God we serve. That growth will never leave me. I’m sure. Now I know what to do.

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Lori Meed
April 11, 2023

“Do not remember the past events; pay no attention to things of old. Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.”Isaiah 43:18‭-‬19 CSB Thank you that we are being made narrow by pressure in this season, being squeezed as Holy Spirit irons our wrinkles and presses and scrubs out our stains. Help us to yield to Your discipline. Amen.

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Julia
April 11, 2023

Thank you for so much since losing my husband I have been looking back that it has depressed me. I needed a way forward and his dream was very good for me! God bless you!

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Ruby Wooley
April 11, 2023

God has so clearly shown us the pathway to higher heights with Him in His Word. Thank you for sharing this dream with us. I am reminded of the experience the disciples of the Lord received at Pentecost. That devotion they showed by obeying His command to “go and tarry until” is the example we need to follow in order to come up to where He wants us to be in Him and His plan for us. They were “endued” with that power which we too need. Acts 2:38 tells us how – not just one initial experience, but continually. Thank God for that Holy Ghost indwelling experience! (BTW thank you for the daily IFA! It is a blessing!)

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Betty Beardsley
April 11, 2023

Heavenly Father, Thank You for calling us higher and preparing a place for us to be with You. I know I have more baggage than I need, and I am distracted by the need to CARE for and SORT this baggage. Father I pray that You will help me to discard the things I don’t need so that I can focus more on You and what You have planned for my life. Things I once thought I needed are no longer useful or helpful to me. As I go through the narrow door help me to take the things that are needed with me –the gifts You have given me. Help me to focus on You, Your love, Your faithfulness, Your power to save and deliver me. Help me to be a light to help lead others to You. Jesus is the WAY the TRUTH and the LIGHT. He is what we really need. Amen

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Thanks for praying
April 11, 2023

Kim, please pray for those of us who live with very angry spouses and spouses who bring porn, etc into the home.

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    Cynthia
    April 11, 2023

    Oh, sister, I’ve been where you are!
    I encourage you to re-read 2 Chronicles 20: 1-23
    I recall a time when my then-husband phoned me from another place, which would normally have set me in a jangle. But I had recently copied verse 6 (as a result of a Mary Whelchel program) to share with a Christian friend at work, and it was sitting there in my open calendar book. So, before I said anything, I re-read that verse, then spoke. My husband replied, I re-read that verse to myself, and spoke again. This pattern went on for several minutes, and when the call ended, the Holy Spirit commented that that was probably the first time I had shown my husband love (instead of bitterness and disrespect) in a long time. We do need to guard our own hearts, for they are the wellspring of life. After decades, I’ve come to realize that my husband is still overwhelmed with all that baggage which Jesus came to bear FOR us, and when I get in a funk, it is SO helpful when I just go through an alphabetical list of some of the names and character qualities of God, which He has highlighted in my reading over the years – it gets my mind off my “wind and wave idols” and onto Him who is able. You, as a wife, might also find help through Pure Life Ministries 859-824-4444
    God bless you, sister, and rejoice in Him always!
    Cynthia

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BETTIE-ANN
April 11, 2023

Everything looks more beautiful and more manageable when we see it from on high! When I climb a mountain and look down, I don’t see litter on the side of the roads, I don’t see ugly graffiti scribbled on the walls in vacant lots, all i see is the beauty of God’s landscape, like His own well designed patchwork quilt spread out before me! Its enormity minimizes my problems and Holy Spirit’s presence gives me a buoyancy i hadn’t felt from far below. Worship comes so much easier without clutter!

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Chris Torre
April 11, 2023

I need to continually leave my bags behind. It is a life long process of dropping what I think is important each day to keep my eyes on Him, looking forward to His plan for my footsteps.

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Allena Jordan
April 11, 2023

This is a timely article. Things are moving so quickly in the “world” my head is spinning. I’ve heard the Lord tell me many times in the last few days, stay near Me, stay in My Word. He will never leave us nor forsake us. Let us worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. Let the Worshippers arise.

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    Joyce N
    April 11, 2023

    A.WTozer.
    O LORD, quicken to life the power within me that I may lay hold of eternal things. Open my eyes that I may see, and give me acute spiritual perception, let me taste thee and know that thou art good. Make heaven more real to me than any earthly thing has ever been.🙏. Amen

    12
Barbara Prevost
April 11, 2023

Amazing dream and interpretation!!
My dreams seem to be fragmented.
People I know but don’t look the same. Places and things that are disjointed.
I love the Lord with all my heart…. Yet somehow in prayer I get distracted…. Even when I’m in my quiet time ! I want to go higher in You O Lord…. Help me please 🙏

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Barbara White
April 11, 2023

Very good article. Made me think alot about the small door, and what it means.

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Kathie Jackson
April 11, 2023

I enjoyed you sharing your dream and understanding . The Lords Holy Spirit is speaking today of unity of the church, we must go Higher and Live in His Love for us all who are Baptized in Him and No Longer be divided , for untied We stand and Divided we fall.
He is sending us HIS Word , but many do not seem to recognize Him. I am speaking of His Message to us to live a True LIFE in God , which is Jesus. He adds nothing new to Scripture, but sends His Holy Spirit as He said He would to remind us of His Truths.
These messages are given to us , yet one must open their Hearts to Him and Surrender to Him everything and Live in HIS Will not ours !
( more can been found of His Wisdom and Truth For the times we live in (www.TLIG.org) ✌️

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Vanessa Trant
April 11, 2023

I love this article! I too, had a dream about a narrow place, but mine was a gate so narrow that I had to turn sideways and squeeze through. For some reason, I thought my dream referred to being ready for the Lord to come and get us, but now I see that God is calling us to a higher, closer relationship with Him here and now. I love the part of her dream where she could not take her baggage with her. I have been wanting to be a more effective prayer person, which means, I have got to drop the hurts from the past, truly get covered by the blood and come up higher! I’m so excited about what is happening among my brothers and sisters in the family of God.

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