The other day I was spending some time with the Lord. You know, I feel like a lot of my blogs start like that. Not that there’s anything wrong with spending time with God. I recommend it. But variety is the spice of life I’ve heard. So let’s try again.
The other day I was picking my nose when the Lord showed me a picture. Confession: I can’t really recall if I was picking my nose or not. However, I would like to hear from you if you’ve ever had a vision from God while picking your nose. I can’t imagine it’s never happened.
Anyway, the vision.
I had my bible open to Ephesians 1 and was taking in Paul’s amazing words in verse’s 17-21.
[For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him, By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones)…
My thoughts in that moment became the prayer of my heart, which was to have the eyes of my heart flooded with light and come to know him more intimately than I do now.
I saw a picture of a mountain. The top was glowing and I knew it’s where I needed to go in order to receive the mysteries and secretes of the deep and intimate knowledge of him. So I stood at the base and looked up, preparing myself for the climb. What tools would I need and what sort of clothing/gear?
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]—Matthew 11:28
As I looked I heard the Lord speak to my heart, telling me to strip myself bare. There would be no tools. Mountain climbing gear was not allowed. All clothes were to be left at the base. So, I did what he asked and heard his voice say, Now, step forward.
I was expecting a somewhat vertical path. I mean, it’s a mountain. But when I stepped forward my feet fell on flat ground. Every step took me higher up the mountain but each step was as effortless as stepping across an empty room.
I began to notice other climbers to my right and left. Each one was decked out in varying degrees of mountain climbing gear. Some had old tools and some had the most advanced gear on the market. But each one was stuck at different levels. I passed them all easily with absolutely nothing.
Achievement is based upon what we do. At least, that’s the mentality so many of us grow up with and adopt. And, as so often is the case, what we adopt in the natural becomes our principles in life with Jesus. But in the kingdom, achievement is based on what Jesus has already done.
It was a few days after this vision that I sat in a room listening to someone talk about their intimacy with God. The message really moved me and I found resolve building in my heart to go after intimacy with a passion. I was going to get it more than I ever had. But how was I going to get it? It wasn’t long before I was thinking of the right amount of quiet time and the right words to say and the right music to play, etc.
And then I remembered the vision…and exhaled. I just have to be with him. All those things Paul talked about; the mysteries, secrets, intimate knowledge, glorious inheritance, etc. They are all gifts. If we had to have the right tools and gear in order to get all of that amazing stuff they wouldn’t be gifts. They would be payment.
In the world we all grow up in, the more we do the more we get. We look around and realize that we’ve earned most of what we have. We work and receive pay and then get stuff. But in the kingdom, the more we earn the more we loose. The more tools we use to climb the mountain the more stuck we get.
Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].—Romans 12:2
Life begins when we realize just how much God loves us and turn over our hearts to him. The journey that follows is one of transformation in demolishing the lies we’ve believed and understanding the truth flowing from the greatest love we can ever imagine.
Blessings,
Jesse and Kara
http://www.facebook.com/jesse.birkey
http://www.amazon.com/author/jessebirkey
Jesse and Kara Birkey are committed lovers of Jesus who seek to show others the extraordinary life of Jesus is available for everyone. They have authored two books, been featured in films and seek to serve the Lord in whatever ways they can. Follow their blog here.
Bring Jesse and Kara to your venue. Find more information here.
Get a sneak preview of Jesse’s upcoming fiction, Finding Home.
Life Resurrected, Extraordinary Miracles through Ordinary People has been endorsed by Sid Roth and Mark Virkler and is a collection of inspiring stories making it clear that the extraordinary life of Jesus is available to all who love Him. It’s also the testimony of Jesse’s life, the road he travelled bringing him into the arms of Jesus. Get the paperback here. Get the Kindle Version Here. View the trailer here.
Marriage What’s the Point? One couple finds meaning in a crazy mess is the story of their marriage—The tragedy and the restoration. They bear their hearts in an attempt to get others to bear theirs and finally receive the freedom they’ve longed for. Get the paperback here. Get the Kindle Version Here.
Jesse is also featured in the film DeadRaiser, a movie shining the spotlight on resurrection testimonies across the nation. Find more information here.
Add new comment