The Vision in My Soul

I am long delayed in posting, and have been conflicted as to what to write. I have planned other topics, but have been unable to write them because this keeps coming to the front of my mind. It has taken time and prayer to finally have these words, but here it is.

For those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, our lives no longer belong to us but to the One who gave all and took all upon himself. There are times, though, when we will try to take it back and control it through our own flesh. It is during these times that God will speak to us.

Our father does not usually shout at us to get our attention. No, He will often use subtle measures: the small voice inside that we know to come from something other than ourselves; the immediate knowledge that comes to our minds that says we are wrong. Sometimes, He will instill a vision in us that takes root in our deepest parts, one that becomes imbedded in our hearts, minds, and soul.

The Lord was pleased, for his righteousness' sake, to magnify his law and make it glorious. (Isaiah 42:21 ESV)

Sometimes, though, He will speak directly to our hearts, burning His message into us in a way we cannot deny. The Lord planted this in me, and it is clear that He is adamant that I receive this message. At first, it seemed more of a production in my mind, but as time has passed, it has become more and more clear to me, more defined . . . more real, something I cannot shake and does not fade. I have shared this with some, but am being led to share it with as many as I can now. I know that it is from God and has been planted deep in my soul.

In this vision, I am sitting in the presence of my Lord and Savior, and have a deep sense of awe, humility and shame. I do not see Him, but know He is there. In front of me is an easel, the type that an artist might use, with a large canvas on it, facing away from me so that what is on it I may not see. I am curious, and afraid.

My fear turns to a most complete calm when I hear the words, “My son, welcome home.” I know that this is real, and at the same time a vision. I know that I am still in my flesh, but in His holy presence. I also know that He has something to show me that I alone am privy to.

Now, the easel and canvas are turned toward me. I still cannot discern what the image in front of me looks like, but I am told, “Michael, this is who I created you to be, and this is who you have become. My work has been steady and fruitful. You are complete.”

I have come to understand more of this, and am compelled to share it now. While I do not know what the final image of me is, or will become, I now know that I am a work in progress, and am still incomplete where it regards my final person. I can only describe it as one would an artist creating his masterpiece.

When a work of art is created, the piece does not just appear on canvas. It is a tedious and laborious task, one where each and every stroke of the brush is intentional. Colors are mixed and placed in a specific location, each with a part to play in the finished work. Such is my life, a single act of placing the color to the image with each and every action that is my existence. The colors that form me are as varied as the colors in the world. Some are dark, some are light and colorful, while some are a mixture that looks almost like mud. I do not control the outcome.

As the strokes are applied and the image takes shape, I realize that there is something beneath the surface of the creation. It is my old life. As an artist will reuse a canvas and paint over it, so has God created a new and beautiful portrait that covers my old self.

2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Cor 5:17 ESV)

The new image of me has covered the old, and I am a new creation. He has applied colors and brush strokes in His love that will completely take away any memory of my old self. Every action, every word I speak, every conversation I have, every life I touch and am touched by is placed on that canvas. All of my doubts, fears, anger, insecurities and failures are mixed into the colors, but are overwhelmed by the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control of the Spirit (reference Galations 5:22-23.) His steady hand has been, and is, applying these to mold me into the one He created me to be. 

So, now I am faced with the question of what to do with this that God has given me. In the past, I asked God to show me His will for me, but, as my vision has not shown me the final work, neither should I ask to know His will for the future. I only need to know that He directs me in this moment and then I am allowing His will to work in my life, and those of others. I seek now His will at the moment, as if it were a new color mixture being readied to apply.

When we reflect on our own selves, and genuinely seek Him, we become that work of art. We can be a new and beautiful creation. As the masters that we see in our galleries have done with colors and strokes on canvas, often reused canvas, our Lord is creating His image of us one glorious and loving touch at a time. The completed work is our goal. 

This is the day the Lord has made for me, and made me for. I long to be the image that He creates so that it is pleasing to God. When I do meet Him and he turns the easel so that I may clearly see the man He intended me to be I can say that I am that man and can say “Thank you, Lord.”

Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith— to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen. (Romans 16:25-27 ESV)