"Then the LORD answered me and said, 'Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, that the one who reads it may run.....though it linger wait for it.... for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.'" (Habakkuk 2:2,3,14 NIV).

Palest ink serves us better than our strongest memory. It is too easy to forget what we have seen and heard in the spirit; especially when we are more trained to focus on the physical, visible and tangible. The process of putting our vision to paper deepens our commitment to it. Writing the vision not only helps clarify it in our understanding, but enables us to communicate it to others, that they too may run with it.

In the Old Testament, prophets were often called 'seers'. Much of the revelation they received had to do with future events. The New Testament church is called to be a prophetic people because we can see God's promised future. We are tested however when the vision is not quickly fulfilled. From God's point of view, what He has promised is for an appointed time. He will not delay. During the time span between promise and fulfillment, the vision is likely to be forgotten, confused or even denied. Eager anticipation dissipates into discouragement. People are turned aside by distraction.

It is a good exercise to write down what you see in your spirit. As we prayerfully planted a new church here in Concord, Massachusetts, just over 10 years ago, we envisioned what spiritual revival would look like in this town. We had a vision of God's people loving and serving together in community, transcending denominational walls and barriers of pettiness to become unified as 'doers of the Word'. We imagined the influence of revitalized Christian thinking upon our culture as people would be changed from the inside out by the power of the gospel. We dreamed of modeling and articulating a Christian ecology transcending that of Concord's transcendentalists. We envisioned a Concord that would one day be more identified with the revelation of the Bible than "Little Women", "Walden", or the Bhagavad Gita delivered by Bronson Alcott to Thoreau; more identified as a center of spiritual revolution rather than the American revolution; We imagined a Concord where town selectmen would freely pray with each other before meetings, where educators would think through classroom curriculum understanding their role to help each student live in such a way as to be able give an account before God without shame. We envisioned planners and policy-makers thinking through social policies in the light of the Jesus' teaching on the kingdom of God. We envisioned that the spiritual legacy of the town would one day eclipse its heritage of compromising the truth of the gospel. Our prayers echoed those made in the spirit of covenant by the Puritan founders of this first inland European settlement on the North Atlantic coast more than 360 years ago.

We had a vision for a church where every member would be an equipped minister, developing a winsome lifestyle of worship and service. We had a vision for a caring network of small LIFE groups that would regularly reproduce and eventually form new congregations that would gather for celebrations. We had a vision for a ministry center in the heart of Walden Country whose influence would radiate like ripples from a Rock thrown into Walden Pond! That ministry center would be a place that would welcome honest seekers to conferences, seminars, retreats, and Biblical study; a place where the arts and sciences would be celebrated as ways in which we can give glory to God. It would be a place where the presence of God would be known and felt and the Word of God is consistently and thoroughly taught.

As I read these words, I am reminded that some may think that this vision is arrogant, politically incorrect, even dangerous. Its origin however is with God's Word. It is for an appointed time: "The earth SHALL be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea." (Habakkuk 2:14 NIV).

Another vision pertinent to our work here was that of an asparagus crop. We sensed the Lord saying that the asparagus in the vision was His planting. Asparagus is a very difficult crop to get started, grows slowly, but once it takes root, it is very difficult to destroy and bears fruit for many years. Later we learned that Concord was once known for its asparagus farms.

The vision has been tested. Some of that which has been envisioned has come to pass. God has truly established a new community that is functioning as salt and light. Christ's influence has been felt in many areas of our community life. Much of the vision is yet to be realized. But we are pilgrims on the way. One day we will realize fully what God has promised.

We marvel at God's goodness as we stand on the verge of purchasing 13 acres in Walden Country for the building of a ministry center. We thank God for those who have joined us on the journey and pioneered with us along the way. We are encouraged by those who have come to faith in Christ as we have preached the gospel. (Just yesterday, a Buddhist, who has moved to the area from Thailand, trusted Christ after our worship gathering.) We rejoice that ministries have been birthed and missionaries sent out. New Life Drama Co. is helping many churches with outreach and evangelism. (A CD and cassette of the recent tour of the dramatic musical "Celestial City: The Story of John Bunyan and His 'Pilgrim's Progress'" is now available.) Our joy is to partner with other churches that we might fulfill His vision as the body of Christ in action.

What has God revealed to your heart? Write it down. Let it incubate and be birthed. Hold on to it and persevere with it.

Longing to apprehend with you that for which we have been apprehended,