Writing the Vision

I have been working on a new book, called A Prepared Heart. It has been very difficult to hear through in terms of how to write it—there is so much to say, as well as the order in which it goes. Recently I was asking the Lord where to begin and heard: Start with the vision, start by writing the vision. This comes from a Scripture He has quickened to me many times over the years, Habakkuk 2:1-3.

The vision the Lord has given me is for “prepared hearts.” They have everything to do with the kingdom of God. The kingdom is indeed at hand, just as the Lord said, but it runs on prepared hearts—that’s the rub! If the foundation work of preparing hearts is not done, the building is indeed built on sand, and when it falls the ruin is great (Luke 6:46-49). We have seen a lot of this in recent years, though it has always been visible if we have eyes to see.

Having our hearts prepared is an extensive and often uncomfortable process. The disciples certainly found it so. Because of the nature of it, some people choose to have nothing to do with it, and will not come near. Others are looking for that work of God in their hearts, know their great need for it, and ask: “How does it happen, and where can I go to proceed in it?

So what does prepared heart mean, and what therefore is the vision? I was asking the Lord that myself. “How do I describe what the vision is, Lord?” Following that question a lot of understandings registered, which I will share with you.

The vision is that the work of preparing hearts be widely provided for in the church, that the primary credential for ministry be a prepared heart, and that prepared hearts be the goal of ministry to the body.

It is Me preparing hearts to be in unity with My own heart and to act out of My direction and motivation. That means that My children have to be connected enough to Me to let Me do that preparation, part of which is comfort and healing, part of which is refining of attitudes and relinquishing of control, part of which is empowering those who will use My influence with integrity, and be a safe place for the hearts of others.

It ends with the Holy Spirit filling the whole temple and with My and your spirit being the executive branch—heart and body deferring to spiritual authority. That is the whole work of restoration. It must happen in the leaders because they are charged with the work of the ministry, which is to bring everyone there—all the way into the city where I am the light and Head of the body and every part is responsive to Me, seeing by My light (Rev. 21:23,24). That is the nature and structure of the church. It often breaks down at acknowledging that I am Lord, at initial elements of salvation, not moving all the way through to the kingdom, where oneness with Me is the chief reward and joy. That outcome calls for preparation of heart. If it does not occur, the church reflects the lack of it, when it is designed to reflect the Lord.

Many evils result from the work being incomplete—disillusionment, confusion, unbelief, scattered lives, discouragement, severe withdrawal, loss of joy, gifts silenced, and the conclusion that the Lord is not real after all. These victories of darkness occur because the work is incomplete.

At present the resources and energy produce a body of knowledge “about” Me, but not an insistence on knowing Me. One who knows about Me and speaks of that knowledge without walking in My light and sharing My heart, communicates hypocrisy, a prevailing view of My body.

There is no way but to allow Me to prepare your heart thoroughly. Anything less is some form of losing the estate, which I came to redeem and restore.

Start by writing the vision, say it as plainly as I have enabled you to say it.