Christine writes: "My fervent prayer is that God's light shine so brightly through my brokenness that you would not see me, but rather, that you would know that you were in His presence and that you would not leave unchanged."
I awoke trying to capture the second image, for the first was burned
into my mind so clearly that joy filled my heart. I lay for an hour
trying to take it all in before searching for paper & watercolor to
capture it, none was to be found. Pencil & paper would have to
suffice. I asked the Holy Spirit to enable these hands to convey what I
saw and a sketch came forth. I struggled with my limited ability to
convey the simplest of features and it greatly lacked understanding. It
was then that I realized that I could only capture it rightly with
words.... As I endeavor to "paint" this scene, I take no liberty, but
am in fact writing with the overarching knowledge of Truth and so offer
insight as it was made known to me. Mere human words constrain and
minimize its intensity and grandeur.
There were two hand cut
stone staircases rising upward in a straight, gentle slope. The steps
were large silvery grey multilayered slabs with rounded edges that
hinted at the presence of a grand castle or palace...
The lower
staircase, the second, faint and fleeting image, in this vision, was
wider than the first. The steps were so worn there seemed hardly a rise
between them anymore. Standing on the lower case were mournful souls.
Something unseen seemed to overshadow them for the features were
nondescript and little could be made out. They stood apart from each
other. Though they were aware of each others presence, they were
preoccupied with themselves for they stood bare, It appeared that they
were trying to cover their nakedness and their eyes seemed to plead with
the piles at their feet. What once covered them as they stepped upon
the staircase, had fallen away, step by step. Piles upon piles, mound
upon mounds littered their steps. As they stood now, the memories of
the magnificent brilliant blue mantle that had been offered, but
rejected, many times along the way had to haunt them... Deep regret
shrouded them now since they chose instead to cover themselves with the
work of their own hands. Now, in the Light of Truth, it rotted and fell
away, revealing its true quality... They, in fact, had covered
themselves in filthy rags...
The upper staircase is forefront in
the scene. Upon it, multitudes from every tribe, tongue and nation have
found The Way. Their faces are so brilliant with joy that their
features fade within the glow. Still there is amazement in their gaze
as the take in what surrounds them.
Billowing from atop the
staircase, from an unseen place, is the object of their attention... A
likeness to the richest of silken, velvet fabric. Immeasurably wide and
immeasurable in length, it moves like the wind but surrounds like an
embrace. It reaches downward, flowing far beyond their view.
Though
each one stands singularly within a fold of this brilliant mantle, they
are enveloped together in its vastness, in its embrace, and it draws
them upward. They gather it unto themselves more and more with each
step. Yet the fullness is of its folds has held them completely since
the first step. It's as if they can't get enough of it. They hold it
close, press it to their cheek, breath it in and gather up more until
they can hardly be seen, yet their faces become more radiant with each
armful.
The living mantle becomes for them a beautiful robe,
covering them from head to step. The hue is perfect, clear and bright.
Like the deep, bright blue of the spring sky, in brilliant contrast to
the bright white clouds, moments before the sun sets.
Truth
tells us that this priceless garb opens wide its folds in welcome
embrace, to all who let go of the work of their hands, and take it up
instead, by handfuls, this mantle of GRACE.
(© 2014 Christine Potts – All rights reserved. Written material may not be duplicated without permission.)
Joyous rays of sunlight reach from the fringe, inward...
Purest white rises, swirling from the center
embracing the sunlight in a single upward movement.
At the edges of white, blood orange is released and seeps gently,
dissolving as the center opens wide with possibility
like hands unfolding, opening in acceptance.
An embrace that does not cling, but frees, empowers.
A brilliant cloud of now entwining yellow white swirls, rising powerfully from the canvas like the funnel of a cyclone.
While in the midst, at the center, perfect calm, perfect clarity...
This is what it's like to embrace the will of God....
(© 2014 Christine Potts – All rights reserved. Written material may not be duplicated without permission.)
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