God's Peace

May 13, 2000

AFTER THE LONG BATTLE

I've been feeling within my heart a gentle calmness that seems to take over my whole being. It does not imply that there is nothing is happening around me yet I've noticed a new calmness and stillness which is becoming stronger day by day.

I feel like I'm swimming in an open sea where the waves are high and have been immersed in the water for quite some time.  Instead of the waves becoming a threat to me, I've become adjusted to the motions of the waves and am now finding myself not affected by its coming and going. In fact, I am beginning to enjoy it.

TAKEN DEEPER INTO THE RIVER

Many of God's people have been drawn by the Spirit of the Living God to come into the Living River of God. When we started to move in, just like wading into a real body of water, it did take a lot of effort to get in. At first, the water is shallow, and we cannot swim. We need to wade and walk into deeper territory. Walking in water is much more difficult than swimming in water.

But now, those who have been faithful to God's leading are finding themselves in deeper water, so deep in fact that their feet no longer touch the ground. The suddenness of the rising of the water has initially surprised many of us. Our initial reaction was to swim hard to go back to shore where we felt safe because we can touch and feel the bottom, but the River of God keeps on rising around us and overtaking us at many points. We may have felt that we might drown and many times we did find ourselves underwater and gasping for breath.

However, through all these initial struggles we discover that something has been sustaining us and many of us were amazed that we have survived this long. Somehow we knew that something was going on that was beyond us. Although we could not see or feel it, we knew inside our heart that our survival had not been because of our ability and effort.

Today many of God's people are learning to enjoy the deep water of God's River. For we have tasted God's goodness and His faithfulness and we know that ALL WILL BE WELL IN HIM.

THE MEANING OF THIS VISION

Many of God's people have been feeling the drawing of the Holy Spirit for them to come closer to the Father. Just like wading in water, it has not been an easy path but has taken a lot of our effort. Many circumstances and events have come against us like the sudden rushing of the river water. Many of us were tempted to go back to shore where we felt safe and many of us have found ourselves drowning and gasping for breath so many times.

Somehow, through it all, we have stayed afloat through our circumstances, and deep in our heart, we also knew that our very survival has not been because of our own ability and effort but has been due to the grace of God.

Today, many of God's children are slowly becoming adjusted and amazingly rested in the midst of all the high waves and deep waters that surround us. The peace of God that He planted in us, which at the start seemed like a mustard seed, has grown and has slowly filled us from within. The fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control are beginning to mature.  All these are slowly filling us up and overtaking many of us.

WHY AND WHAT

The season of training and preparation is now over for many of His children. He has tested us and has found us faithful to the call and the challenge. The Father is getting ready to meet us in a grand way. Just like the five virgins who have faithfully kept their lamps full of oil, God is about to open the door to us, and soon we will be seeing the face of the Groom.

God's purpose in all this is not just for us to enjoy Him, but to lead the way to many. We have been prepared TO SERVE AND TO LEAD OTHERS. The coming days will be filled with an exodus of mighty numbers of seekers of truth, and they will be needing assistance and help. This is where we will be positioned by God.

We will soon discover that what the enemy has intended for harm, God will turn for our good. What we have perceived as punishment was actually God's promotion for us. That truly God does not waste anything but has the ability to turn tears to laughter, dust to diamonds, stripes to stars.

PRAYER

"Father, we are thankful for all the works which you have done in our lives. We know that you are continually at work in us day by day even when we don't feel or see your hands. We thank you for the evident manifestation that is being birthed from within us. We know that one day, people will see you through and in us. Thank you for this awesome opportunity that you've entrusted to us. Help us never to depart or deviate from you at any point. We want to be hooked on to you all the remaining days of our life. Amen!"

Blessings,

Ching Co
Cebu City
Philippines