SPIRITUAL MATURITY by Marsha Burns:
For me
maturity means coming into adulthood, coming of age.
Bill and I were talking about this not long ago, confirming to each other that
those who have been with us are maturing spiritually, and do not need to be
taught basic principles again.
Hebrews 6:1-2 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of
Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of
repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms,
of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
What does coming of age mean to us? I have to take another look at the visions
I’ve had that indicate we need to make an effort to live and see as spiritual
adults.
Greater light—spiritual discernment.
I saw an elevated highway, and heard the words, “high and lifted up". We need to
set ourselves to be elevated in the Spirit by continuing to seek genuine,
intimate relationship with God through Christ by the Spirit.
I also saw floodlights, which symbolized more light and greater clarity.
And, a hot-air balloon. We need to go higher so we can see more clearly.
Hebrews 5:14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those
who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
In another vision I was climbing a rock mountain, and near the top was a crack
in the rock that allowed me to catch a glimpse of a beautiful valley on the
other side of the mountain.
This is a time of elevation; of going higher spiritually. And, the higher we go
the greater the light and spiritual clarity.
Small Straws: I saw earth's atmosphere in layers. Near the surface of the earth
it was very dark, but every layer above the earth was progressively lighter.
And, the Lord said, "The higher up you go, the more light is available so that
when you get close to Me it is all light with no darkness at all. Come up here!"
John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world.
He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
I saw a very large door beginning to open. The light coming in
started as a small beam at first, but as the door continued to open the light
became magnificently bright and even blinding. And, I heard the Lord say, "I am
opening a door for you that will bring increasingly greater light. It will
reveal wisdom and purpose the likes of which you have not seen until now.
Walking in the light will begin with revelation that comes from internal work."
Isaiah 2:5 ... come and let us walk in the light of the Lord.
Greater discernment will require spiritual purity.
Other visions:
I saw a beautiful little meadow high up on a mountain. There was a waterfall
splashing down into a pool of clear, clean water.
And, someone was bathing in a stream of sparkling clear, pure water. We are
getting cleaned up through internal work.
Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
Titus 1:15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and
unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.
Destiny fulfilled or fulfilling of destiny—reaching a destination
The idea of destiny fulfilled came in several visions:
First was something like a wheel moving clockwise on the inside of a wheel
moving counterclockwise. There were notches in the wheels that needed to line
up.
I also saw a roundabout on a street where you have to drive in a circle to find
the proper exit that would make a way to a particular destination.
And, I saw gears that needed to be put in their proper position in order for a
machine to function as it should.
Finally, I saw someone opening a safe using a combination lock—turning to
numbers in perfect order before the door would open. A combination lock is a
type of locking device in which a sequence of numbers or symbols is used to open
the lock.
I thought of two words precision and order in all of these visions. We must be
in our proper position before we can move forward spiritually.
Small Straws: Your life experience contains many moving parts, and those parts
are coming into alignment to allow new possibilities. The doors will open to
present opportunities to accomplish what has been beyond your scope of
imagination. These are things that you cannot foresee or predict, but you can
prepare and position yourself spiritually by faith to progress when the time is
right, says the Lord. Mark 1:3b Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths
straight.
Small Straws: Be on the lookout for various elements of your life to fall into
place, and it will be right for you to make the changes that you have
considered. There is a time and a season when everything lines up with My will
and purposes for you, says the Lord. That time is just ahead of you. Do not lose
hope. Ecclesiastes 3:17b "For there is a time for every purpose and for every
work."
Another vision I was watching someone working on a stained glass project,
probably a window. There was lots of beautiful glass with various shaped pieces
that would make a picture.
Many of us have been fragmented, and we will be working on ourselves internally
to put all the pieces together so that we are whole.
Season of Adjustment
Small Straws: The season of adjustment is upon you, but you will have to
mentally and emotionally let go of things that tie you to the past before you
can move forward in My purposes. If you will take this step of faith you will
come into a place of liberty and fulfillment that you have not known before.
Trust Me to bring you through this awkward transition with great grace, says the
Lord. All you have to do is be willing and flexible.
2 Corinthians 12:9a And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My
strength is made perfect in weakness."
Mystery
Small Straws: As I waited on the Lord, I sensed movement in the spirit realm. It
was very strong and yet mysterious. And, I heard the Lord say, "I am moving in
ways that are beyond anything that you have seen or understood. This work will
affect My people at a core level that is untapped and rarely accessed. Only
those who get quiet and exercise extreme discernment will be aware of what I am
now doing."
Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the
nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
Small Straws: My work in the lives of My people appear to be mysterious at
times. But, if you ask for wisdom with a genuine desire to know, I will reveal
My purposes to you in ways that you can understand. Keep in mind that I want you
to search for truth as you would search for treasure. And, to do that you must
be willing to dig deep, says the Lord.
Psalms 51:6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part
You will make me to know wisdom.
Recap:
1. Spiritual Maturity—a time to grow up into Him
2. Greater Light to see what God is doing in our lives
3. Elevation and clarity for more precise discernment
4. Cleansing and purity of the soul through internal work
5. Proper positioning in Spirit before we can progress
6. Personal and spiritual adjustment to bring precision and order
7. Understanding the mysteries of God