We always have a vision of something before it actually becomes real to us. When we realize that the vision is real, but is not yet real in us, Satan comes to us with his temptations, and we are inclined to say that there is no point in even trying to continue. Instead of the vision becoming real to us, we have entered into a valley of humiliation.

Life is not as idle ore,
But iron dug from central gloom,
And battered by the shocks of doom
To shape and use.

God gives us a vision, and then He takes us down to the valley to batter us into the shape of that vision. It is in the valley that so many of us give up and faint. Every God-given vision will become real if we will only have patience. Just think of the enormous amount of free time God has! He is never in a hurry. Yet we are always in such a frantic hurry. While still in the light of the glory of the vision, we go right out to do things, but the vision is not yet real in us. God has to take us into the valley and put us through fires and floods to batter us into shape, until we get to the point where He can trust us with the reality of the vision. Ever since God gave us the vision, He has been at work. He is getting us into the shape of the goal He has for us, and yet over and over again we try to escape from the Sculptor’s hand in an effort to batter ourselves into the shape of our own goal.

The vision that God gives is not some unattainable castle in the sky, but a vision of what God wants you to be down here. Allow the Potter to put you on His wheel and whirl you around as He desires. Then as surely as God is God, and you are you, you will turn out as an exact likeness of the vision. But don’t lose heart in the process. If you have ever had a vision from God, you may try as you will to be satisfied on a lower level, but God will never allow it.

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Journal Entry for Today-JDV

July 6, 2010

 I awoke singing a new Christian song, not even realizing I was singing the words in my head. I grabbed Joyce Myers’ Book, “I Dare You” and began to read about how we are to be passionate about our lives and the purpose for our lives. She quoted Solomon from Ecclesiastes and reminded me that even Solomon was not satisfied in having and doing everything without passionate purpose. I prayed and asked God, once again, to give me that sense of purpose; to give me a passionate purpose.

And God says…”You are not quite ready for the passionate purpose that I have for you. You are still in training. There is no hurry, we have forever. It is my purpose and my mission I have for you, don’t you know that I will bring it to pass. Together in purpose, we have eternity. Know now that you are aligned with me in seeking my will for your life. All you are to do right now, this minute is trust and obey. I will lead you into My purpose for your life. After all, it is MY purpose, and your life is mine in Christ Jesus. Rest in Me, and know that I will complete the good work that I began. Your life is now MY Life, it is MY Purpose, and MY time…rest in Me, I will bring it to pass.