Visions from Him

Tonight I was reminded by new friends of the importance of writing down some visions I had last Sunday during the sermon. It is rare that I am given visions from God and these three were particularly special. So, I am blogging this so that I alone can remember them.

Vision 1 - I saw a gold ring being carefully held in a blazing fire like the scene in Lord of the Rings. I instantly knew that this ring was me and that the Lord was holding me in the fire. I was made of gold and had impurities dripping off of me. I remember knowing that they were ugly and that whatever qualities were being purged out of me needed to be gone though I cannot tell you more about what specifically was dripping off of me.

As I saw all of this I was reminded of Marvin's words to me that I am going through a "trial by fire." He has said this more than once to me. Also as I saw all of this, I was reminded of how things here in NYC haven't been easy, but somehow, though rough, I knew that just as the ring needed to be purified to be made more beautiful that I too needed to be purified and that whatever trials I go through will conform me to Jesus' image more and make me more lovely. I remember not feeling pain as I saw myself in the fire but joy and love knowing that all of these trials are to bring about completion and perfection and maturity within me (James 1).

Tonight when I shared this vision with Ray and Amy who are new friends and both very prophetic, Ray shared his take on the vision. He said that when he pictured the ring (he had an actual ring on that said "Beloved" which I was amazed at) that he saw it as God making me ready for greater intimacy with God, to be close to him as a ring is worn on a finger or as a right-hand man. I really liked this picture and it definitely has been the cry of my heart these two weeks to be intimate and passionate for Jesus. I see him hearing my prayers and being faithful.

Vision 2 - All I remember about this vision was that I saw Marvin and many others in what looked like a church service. I saw Marvin giving his life to Jesus and this excited me greatly. It is truly my prayer that he becomes my brother in Christ. May God use me to plant many, many fertile seeds in his life.

Vision 3 - I was reminded of the dream/vision I had about 10 years ago when still at New Hope. In that dream, my father became a Christian. I pray that it still comes to pass; he so needs Jesus.

Those are the visions I remember having, but I also remember thinking about my past week. This week and last my Church has been celebrating Advent, something I have only done as part of New Hope. It is exciting to celebrate it again. For about two weeks now, I have not felt God's presence or closeness much. When I first thought of this, it made me sad until I realized clearly that God was doing this to draw me into a deeper relationship with him. I know that He has not left me, but rather chosen to make me pine for him and mature during this time. It is exciting and humbling all at the same time.