In one of my recent Instagram posts (@the_gospel_tea), I urged my followers to pay close attention to their dreams in this pivotal season of our Christian lives. I advised that they should write them down soon after awakening, to have better recollection for personal application of the messages contained in the dreams. I encouraged that even if their dreams seem random, they should write them out, expecting deeper insights than what they saw at first sight. I believe that God is transferring information and instructions for both individual and corporate victories during these last, evil days on the earth. Having done all that we should do, to withstand evil, we Christians must continue to stand in the faith of Jesus Christ until the day of his triumphant return.

“Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.” Eph. 6:13, NLT

I am an avid dreamer. It is a part of my calling. Let’s say that it’s a powerful tool used in my writing and speaking to admonish, encourage, and inspire people—discipleship. Granted, I infrequently share my dreams outside my household. This morning, however, I awakened to the powerful scent of fragrant, men’s cologne along with the clear impression to share my dream in this blog post.

I had purchased two bottles of cologne from an independent vendor. Both bottles were basic, clear glass vessels with sizable, smooth, black screw caps on top—ergo, of a modern design aesthetic. One bottle was cylindrical, about 5.5 inches high with a circumference of about 7 inches around and a diameter of about 2.5 inches across. The other was square shaped, about 5 inches high by 5 inches wide, with a depth of approximately 1.75 inches. The color of both colognes was slightly aqua green like the clearest ocean water, most probably reflected from the pale hue of the glass bottles.

Throughout the course of my dream the cylindrical bottle had broken unexpectedly. I had tried to screw the stubborn cap off after I’d purchased it, but instead the glass nozzle gave way under the cap. Strangely, as I held the bottle it began to crack in two places from the nozzle down, but only on the backside (seen through the clear glass). Suddenly, the concave piece broke off in one sizable shard as the cologne spilled out to the ground. I was both upset and dissatisfied; mainly because I didn’t consider it to be my fault that the shoddy packaging had given way, but also because I’d paid $150, per bottle, for the colognes. Moreover, they were to be a surprise gift set for my husband, but the vendor, a young businessman, didn’t think he should have to repay me for the loss.

Then, to irritate me further, my husky assistant-slash-bodyguard began to fiddle with the remaining square bottle of cologne. He was trying to open the bottle to sniff the fragrance. Alarmed, I ordered him to give it to me at once, motioning frantically in his direction. (He typically maintained a few feet of space, just behind me, when we were out shopping, carrying my things.) When he disregarded my directive, chuckling dismissively while pivoting to avoid my attempts to grab the cologne from him, I sternly insisted that he stop trying to uncap the bottle! But he, a jokester, kept trying to unscrew the cap anyways, completely ignoring my repeated command. Indignant, I then hollered, “You didn’t pay $150 for the cologne, so you don’t get to do what you want with it! Give it to me right now!” Noting the change in my volume and tone, he locked eyes with me, finally submitting to my authority by handing over the cologne. It was obvious, by the stupefied look on his face, that he’d comprehended my tone to mean that I’d expect immediate reimbursement from him if he were to break the bottle.

Nevertheless, as he handed the bottle over—too late—it broke into blunt shards, on both sides this time. The cologne spilled out from the broken vessel bathing my outstretched hands with its fragrant contents. Curiously, unlike the cylindrical bottle that had broken, this time I instantly smelled the pleasant, concentrated perfume of the cologne. In hindsight, I realized how unusual it was that the first cologne had no scent. Moreover, the pleasing scent of the second cologne effectively deescalated my anger, redirecting my attention to the powerful fragrance wafting up from my hands. As the lovely aroma was enveloping me, my husband was rousing me, to kiss me goodbye before he headed off to work.

As I opened my eyes, I saw that he was observing the delightful expression on my face, pausing to hear what I had to say. Straightening up from the bedside, he smiled, raising an eyebrow in anticipation. He was leaving unusually early, so I knew I had only a moment to relay what I was feeling. Contrary to our usual mornings together, I began to share only the end of my dream with him, emphasizing how lovely the perfume of the cologne was. I could still smell it as though it was real in the air. I even asked quixotically, “Do you smell it?” Of course he didn’t.

After he left, I began to ruminate my dream, playing the scenes back before they were gone from my memory. As I brushed my teeth, the spiritual meaning became clear to me—along with the reiteration to share this as a blog post. Therefore, if you’re reading, be assured that it was God’s intention that you were to be reading this. How special is that? You are blessed. Indeed, God not only loves you, but he adores you—not for what you have or haven’t done, but just because you are. Simply because you are. He created you to love. Receive that.

In summary, I thought, one, I’d paid the expensive price of $150 each for the two bottles of cologne. And, indeed, they both belonged to me—per the commerce transaction—my hard-earned money exchanged for the expensive merchandise. I was also fulfilled in purchasing the colognes as a gift; however, I’d needlessly tried to open the cylindrical bottle to smell the fragrance that I’d already smelled from the vendor’s sample bottle, causing the cologne to be wasted. (For me, this represents my typical, distrusting behavior—to ensure that I get exactly what I pay for—not necessarily due to my being overly suspicious or anal-retentive, but due to some previous, naïve experiences that culminated in me being defrauded). Two, to add to my loss, my assistant and bodyguard—who hadn’t paid for my gift—had tried to open the remaining, square-shaped bottle, ignoring my command that he give it back to me. Some of you who are more spiritually aware may intuit where I’m going with this dream interpretation. If you feel the stirring of the Holy Spirit, lean into it fully. You’re about to be blessed for continuing to read.

The Interpretation of my Dream

The independent vendor represents Jesus. The bottles of cologne represent the gifts of God that Jesus has already paid the expensive price for. The pleasant fragrance represents the sweet anointing of God on the gifts that he’s given. The anointing is his power upon us, in us, and through us to manifest supernatural gifts (all Christians are anointed). The clear bottles, shaped differently, represent pure vessels of various types—the surrendered and prepared members of the body of Christ worldwide. The prevailing measurements of 5 represent God’s dispensation of grace upon us. The number 7, the full circle (completion) necessary for the perfecting of the gifts. The slightly aqua tint of the glass vessels represents the serenity of God’s rest. Its correlation to pale aqua, crystal-clear ocean water, at shore, represents the Holy Spirit come to us—the manifested ebb and flow of his anointing for us and through us. The high price I paid represents the cost of the anointing—to be transferred through our gifts in service—much like Jesus’ cost on the cross for the church to be accorded the 5-fold ministry gifts for service. Without these ministry gifts the church would not operate at optimal functionality. The caps represent the authority and timing of God to release the anointing from our earthen vessels to benefit others—God can’t be budged according to human will. To try to do so will break you. The color black for the caps represents our need to die to self (our flesh), the anointing burning in us to later flow freely from our purified hearts.

The anointing is first contained to heal us—to set us free from sin and its destructive behaviors. The difficulty in removing the first cap represents striving—our charging ahead of God to be used in service (ministry). I recently posted “Struggle is the Result of Resisting God” on facebook.com/falconsvision/. This is why there was no fragrance wafting from the first bottle of cologne—just a broken piece of glass facilitating the cologne being spilled onto the ground.

The presence of God, by our submission, infuses the anointing with a pleasing fragrance unto him. Conversely, the scent of self, in service, would be repulsive to God—our stinky flesh will always be opposed to the Spirit of God. The best of its intentions is therefore forbidden. We must take authority over its willful dictates. God is our superior and we are his subordinates, indeed invested with his power, but that power must be subject to the harness of the Lord. Unlike my assistant-slash-bodyguard striving with me, causing my indignation and displeasure with him, we must seek to be meek and humble. A harnessed horse has been broken by the rider who controls it by the reins. So must we be in the harness of the Lord God—broken vessels for acceptable service.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins [inmost being, thoughts, intentions, for pliability] even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings” (Jer. 17:9-10, KJV, emphasis mine).

If there’s resistance when God tugs on the reins of our hearts and minds, that indicates rebellion. In short, buck up on God and you’ll get whipped and spurred for your betterment. There are no wild horses in the service of the Lord. Period. That would be Satan’s kid falsely posturing as a servant of God. It didn’t matter how husky my bodyguard was, in comparison to me; he still worked for me. Ergo, the cylindrical shape of the first bottle represents going around in circles, wholly determined to do something for the kingdom, your way, but getting nowhere. Until God says, “Well done, my good and faithful servant,” keep perfecting your bow until being prostrate before him is your delight. When you delight in him, he’ll give you what you desire. That’s the Word. Ergo, the square shaped bottle represents the finished work by God’s grace—the perfect alignment of your gifts, to be given in humble service.

My husky, insubordinate assistant represents the forces of darkness to steal or arrest the anointing, sought undeservedly, having not paid the price for it. He was revealed to be an imposter, along for the ride, but openly mocking authority. He revealed his “reins,” his true self and intentions—a jokester and a trickster. Some of you reading know that there are those you must disconnect from, but you’ve been slow about it. One, time is short. Two, no one is worth the anointing of God in your life. Protect and preserve the oil in your lamp to light your way. You can no longer carry the obstinate and insubordinate with you. It’s a false burden and possibly an unholy soul tie. Cast your cares on God and keep it pushing (re: 1 Peter 5:7). It’s one thing to be loving or concerned, but it’s another to assume the position of God in someone’s life.

Granted, my indignation concerning my assistant was due to my having paid a high cost for the gift that stood to be totally lost, but it was also due to his foolish, disrespectful contempt for my authority—my having learned to wait for the proper technique and timing to uncap the bottle. I.e., my taking authority over my subordinate represents my taking authority over the “thief” who is the devil. He comes to halt our growth by distracting us from the truth of our authority over his ability, and of the irrevocable gifts of God for our purposes and callings. Even after the momentary struggle with my assistant, as righteous indignation rose up in me, I confidently employed my authority, ordering him to hand over my gift whether he liked it or not! My intimation that he must pay me back 100% of what he’d taken was like commanding the thief, “In the name of Jesus, I bind your thievery, now loose my gift you devil!” The cologne, retrieved by command, then bathed my hands, representing the fragrant anointing—the power of God—from a broken vessel, for service.

How many times have we had a go with the devil until we’ve had enough? It is then that the power of God is released as we usurp victory over the enemy’s attempted defeats—our superior anointing over his inferior anointing. There’s probably nothing that incenses him more but there’s nothing he can do about a woman or man of God who knows who they are in Christ. In this season of the victorious church amid the heightened manifestation of evil in the world, be sure to maintain your righteousness, your most holy faith, your salvation, your belief system, your righteous worldview, your salvation—whatever you call it—as an ambassador of Christ in the kingdom of Heaven. The kingdom of God backs you. Pay close attention to your dreams—God speaking to you in the night watches—to ensure that you’ll stand firm in the faith of Jesus Christ during these last days.

Final Thoughts

“Jesus was at Bethany, a guest of Simon the Leper. While he was eating dinner, a woman came up carrying a bottle of very expensive perfume. Opening the bottle, she poured it on his head. Some of the guests became furious among themselves. ‘That’s criminal! A sheer waste! This perfume could have been sold for well over a year’s wages and handed out to the poor.’ They swelled up in anger, nearly bursting with indignation over her” (Mark 14:2-6, MSG).

Two Sets of Takeaways

1. REST – When you operate from a place of peace, the gift of faith is effortlessly transmitted through you. God’s anointing manifests when you are in a restful state—at ease. My son, a retired soldier, says “Be easy.” This comes through practiced, continual surrender to the Father’s will. The confidence in which you move may be alarming to some. Your concern for downtrodden, unpopular persons may infuriate some others. Still others may insist that you shouldn’t consort with certain types of “undesirable” people. Nonetheless, know that when you minister, surrendered to the Father’s will, the agape love of God will draw those most in need. And the anointing that is released will match the level of their needs. When man’s approval no longer controls you and fear no longer dictates what you do, you will have entered the rest of God similar to the depiction of Jesus “reclining at table”¹ when the woman anointed him. It was during Jesus’ time of rest and replenishing that the precious, costly perfume was poured over his head from the “alabaster flask”¹ to prepare him for the crux of his ministry—to heal the world from sin. His task was great. The woman understood her assignment. Jesus had her back, rebuking any who scolded her for acting on it. When you are walking in step with God’s timing in service, not only will you proceed with holy boldness, but Jesus will have your back too, one hundred percent. None will be able to stop you. If you’re not in step and time with God, then and only then will the unscented oil spill to the ground.
2. PREPARATION – There is no oil without a crushing. There is no wine without a pressing. There is no anointing without a breaking. The fragrant perfume from the woman’s bottle, poured over Jesus’ head, was only released after the alabaster flask was broken. It’s amazing to me that God already knew that the perfume in an undesirable woman’s hands would be used in preparation for Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. Therefore, think it not strange when your anointing comes in an unusual, counter intuitive way. God already knows who, what, when, where, why, and how. Just as the removal of the caps in my dream were not released until the bottles were broken, the perfume from the woman’s bottle was not released until its seal was irreparably broken. But not one drop was wasted, as her accusers opined, because that bottle and that woman had been set aside for such a time as that. Moreover, the woman was used in such a manner after she, herself, had been broken by the ministry of Jesus’s agape love that had administered to her need. The woman had no favorable reputation, but Jesus met her where she was at and prepared her for her purpose on earth, despite the devil’s grip on her soul. This should be your only desire for the anointing of God, his power in you to set the captive free. Not for reputation, money, self gratification, or accolades, but for the power of God to save. Anything else would be beyond uncivilized.

“What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn’t work. So I quit being a ‘law man’ so that I could be God’s man. Christ’s life showed me how and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not ‘mine,’ but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that. Is it not clear to you that to go back to that old rule—keeping peer-pleasing religion—would be an abandonment of everything personal and free in my relationship with God? I refuse to do that, to repudiate God’s grace. If a living relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily” (Galatians 2:20, MSG).

POW!💥

Fragrant Anointing, by M. J. Smith, first appeared here on Falcon’s Vision LLC at www.mjeanettesmith.com.

Footnotes: 1. Mark 14:2, ESV

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