Beauty for Ashes

Like a mighty hand reaching down from the throne, the Heavenly Father took hold of me and spoke very clearly to me,

 "I am doing a work in you.  It will be accomplished as I have seen fit; the work that I am doing in you, is not that which you think, but that which you desire."

This is a vision I had about 14 years ago. I still am not sure what amazes me more.
The awesome details that still resound vividly in my heart and mind.
or
Knowing I have literally gone through, am going through, this thorn bush and am almost out.
I find it purely amazing. Outstandingly awesome and supremely Godly, all that the Lord does for us.
Because He loves us.
In addition to the greatest gift of all - Himself.
This is not the only time the Lord has spoken to me about suffering. Truthfully, that is not the point of this blog post.  Yes, that is a main point of the vision. However, I really wanted to touch on and share the word the Lord spoke to me.

 "I am doing a work in you.  It will be accomplished as I have seen fit; the work that I am doing in you, is not that which you think, but that which you desire."
This (for me) was going to come about by way of much suffering.
I have lived this - am living this.
This vision was 14 years ago. Well before the suffering began.

1999

Sunday am service - The Spirit of the Lord was heavy upon me. I was  given a vision as I sit still.

Then in a vision I saw myself on my knees, before the throne of God. As I looked up from bowing down, I saw another vision. I saw myself laying hands on someone in the midst of the multitudes. People were falling down and people were being delivered from bondage's and sickness of all kinds. I bowed my head low again in worship and honor to King Jesus. I was then whisked away to "My Place" on the hill with the Lord. (I speak of a place in my heart and mind. The Lord has allowed me to be able to sense His presence and see clearly in detail in my mind, a special place. I am taken here a lot in my personal time with the Lord and we spend time together there.  The Lord speaks to me and I find complete peace there with Him.)

So, I am there again. My special place. The Lord and I come together.  I take His hand and He leads me to the edge of a hill, where the green grass begins to flow.  

Without a word the Lord asks me if I am willing. I answer, "Yes Lord. I am willing."

Then again, without uttering a word I hear the Lord say,  "Lay it ALL down and go forth."  

I struggle, and I call out to him,  "Lord take it from me."

The next thing I know, I am no longer in the green grass on top of the hill with my Lord, but I find myself having to walk through a thorn bush to reach Him.  I can see Him, more out of Faith I think than vision, but I see Him none the less.  I looked for another way to reach Him, but realize that through the thorns is the most direct and shortest path.  So I proceed to go through the thorn bush as all I want is to be with my Lord. I can feel the passion and longing, burning within me. I hear the Lord calling to me. I grumble, allot, making my way through the thorns. At times running with everything in me. All I can think is how I need to get through the thorn bush to reach Jesus. I remember feeling the pain and cringing. I can see my blood dripping from my arms.  Each step I take hurts even more.  I remember being so tired and even thinking I got lost at one point  and almost panicking. 

That's when I cried out to Jesus and He resounded, "I am still here, keep on my beloved."

I did. I kept on and I made it through. I was all beaten up and my flesh was bleeding badly.  

I took the last step out of the thorn bush.
Jesus, precious Jesus was standing right there waiting for me. He reached for me. Both of His hands taking hold of my arms. He wrapped His warm, loving, forgiving arms completely around me. A feeling I will never forget and truthfully, if what I felt in the vision is  1/8 of what a real hug from my Lord will feel like, I can't even begin to imagine...

 Instantly I was whole again. Filled with complete peace and joy and in the presence of God.  No cuts, bruises or scars left to find.  Just whole and new.  Back at my  place on the hill. 

Just me and  my Jesus once again.

*** *** *** ***

It's been 14 years since I had this vision. I have had a few other dreams related to my having to suffer much in this life. At the time I wasn't entirely sure why I was having the dreams. Although I was quite sure they were from the Lord. Since then I have been watching my life unfold. The closer I get the Lord. The more I seek his face. The more I desire to know his heart. The more I long to be in his perfect will. The more I strive to be perfect as he is perfect. The more I see the answer to my question as to why I have had these visions and dreams. 

It has been, as the Apostle Paul writes to the church of Phillipa, 
"...to know Christ , the power of his resurrection and to participate in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead."

Philippians 3:10-11

To know Christ fully means to know him fully.

Not to just seek after all the wonderful things he did when he walked on this earth. All the miracles, signs and wonders. 
So much of the time we hear teachings on just the first part of verse 10. 
"...to know Christ and the power of his resurrection"..
That is completely taken out of context.
 There is no truly biblical way to do so, without  including the rest of the verse -
 "...and to participate in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death ..." 
simply put 

Dying to our flesh daily.

This beloved, is most certainly a painful process.

And let us also remember - to whom much is given - much is required.

If you want something you have never had you will need to do something you have never done.

Though it is impossible for you - that doesn't mean it is impossible - for what is impossible with man is possible with God.

Where ever God guides - He always provides.

And - keep looking up - our redemption draweth nigh!

One last thing  - I am posting a link to someone who inspires me beyond mere words.

Nick Vujicic

This young man of God has such an incredible anointing on his life and touched so many lives in a positive way - it is mind boggling! 
What Nick himself has over come in his own life is more than a miracle 
(if that is possible) 
God called. God chosen. God sent.

If you need to feel encouraged - just click the above link (his name).

If you don't need encouragement - 
Then please click the link and take a looky see and be blessed! 
Then add the young man and his wife and new baby boy to your daily prayers!
Nick also has a facebook page!

God bless you!

AmyColleen