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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July 6, 2011

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

I wonder about the vision when it seems so far away. Lord, it seems like the shaping and molding is taking so long. Day after day the circumstances are still difficult and it seems as if the vision will never become a reality. I know I am being shaped and molded into the man you want me to become…but Lord isn’t there a timeout or a reprieve or respite and or retreat? Is there a place where I can enjoy more of life and life abundantly? Sometimes it seems like just as the vision gets closer; it is snatched away and put back up on the mountain top ledge. And once again I must start another journey up the mountain.

And God says…”It is essential that you be broken. It is even more essential that you stay broken. Your shaping and molding is a work more important than the vision and or your accomplishments and support of My kingdom. I can create all the help I need for My kingdom and My people; however, I cannot force you into the character and integrity essential for your life and eternity. You must choose to take those “right…  and difficult steps”.  Your right choices evolve from the character that is shaped by your circumstances. When you move your vision from your circumstances, and onto Me and the vision I provide, you are living life and life more abundantly. Just stop and look around and you will notice that you are well, rested and at peace in your journey and vision as long as you are connected with and focused on Me.”

July 6 2011 DJR  Journal

Good Morning, Lord

Today we both felt a renaissance of our need for connection,  continually reconnecting as the connection gets broken by stressors and enticements to get out of connection and go chase something beside You.   Even the Vision, even if its from you … if we chase it without connection, our path will be dry and dusty.   So we are holding up in prayer :    The 3 R’s of Real Time Re-Connection  (after ‘Rastling)   REALIZE,  REPENT,  REDEPLOY.   So we are setting a new determination to stay connected all day long.   You have shown us over the last two years that this is the central thing in the Christian Life.  Everything else is peripheral.  Everything else will work itself out.  If we just stay connected.  Like you did.

John 5:19  (NLT)

19 So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.

Wow!   Can we really live like that?  I mean really.    I know the theory.  I have the knowledge .. But there seems a big gap between the knowledge and really walking it out.   And I also know that of course we dont get perfection this side of heaven … but you know what I mean.  A lot more perfect than we have walked … and you said, “Be ye perfect…”   and I know the Greek word means complete etc…… but I just want to do John 5:19 more.

We are now at one of the reasons for our discussion about Training vs Learning.   You dont need any more learning about connection.  You are now going into “Training”.   Think of these things:

Training a horse,  Boot camp training,  Training for a marathon, Training a child in the way they should go.   It isn’t so much about learning.  It’s more about doing the thing you have learned to do.  Obeying the Learning, the system, the vision and ultimately the Father.

OK We’re going to need your help to stay on track, but we are indeed convinced that this is the track we need to get on and stay on.

We’re here to help.  I provided the example of listening to the Father and staying on track toward the Vision I was sent For.   The Holy Spirit will remind you and whisper in your ear … if you are listening.  And of course Father is the origin of everything.  He stands waiting for all prodigals to come home and children to tire of their other games.

OK.  We’ll stay curious.   I love you.