More worth than Gold

By Marjet Hoogendoorn – December 11, 2023

In this dream we were on the ship. As a family we sailed on the Logos Hope from 2015-2018; a mission ship that sails from port to port where it spreads the gospel and supports local churches. Sometimes I still dream of that (great) time on the ship.

During the period that I had this dream (about a month and a half ago) I thought a lot about the direction of Garden of Glory. In addition, I noticed that others began to call on me and also that there were certain expectations about what I should do with the calling I have received. I thought about that a lot (with God).

It was in that context that I had this dream. As mentioned, I was on the Logos Hope. We sailed from port to port. At one point my husband came up to me with a present. He gave it to me and I saw that it was a jeweler’s box. The box said where it came from: from a jeweler in Italy. Indeed (in the dream) we had just been to Italy with the ship. I immediately became excited, because I knew that the most beautiful things could be found at that jeweler in Italy. So in my mind I was already imagining what could be in that box! I was hoping for a golden ring with lots of gemstones, because I love gold and sparkles! I opened the box with great anticipation. Inside was a steel ring with a square steel ornament on it.

I was disappointed. But I still tried to be happy and grateful. The ring fit, for sure. I could wear it. It just wasn’t what I imagined. And it wasn’t the ring that suited me either.

When I woke up I felt the Holy Spirit put these words in my spirit: You were made for gold. When I went to the toilet, there was the hand soap that we had received at our anniversary party a year earlier, with the text: You are worth more than gold.

I knew I shouldn’t go along with people’s expectations (Sometimes well-intentioned! And also flattering! And with more prestige!). Ultimately it would not be the gold that God has in mind. It would be steel: it might suit me and I might be able to do it. But God has gold in mind and I want to go for gold!

What is the gold that God has for you? Do you make choices in that direction? Whose expectations are you living by? Who gets to control the direction of your life? Don’t settle for steel! God has gold for you. Chase after it!