Agape House Fellowship 愛家

This photo shows a lone tree on the top of a hill:

Standing high above Chapel-le-Dale near Ingleton is Twistleton Scar. This is a wild place where the prevailing wind blows relentlessly and hardy trees grow in the barren rocky landscape. Distorted and bent but unbroken, they shrug off adversity. Standing proud, stoical and resolute they are symbolic of all life that strives to exist in the harsh upland environment of the Yorkshire Dales.
(photo by http://www.russellsherwoodphotography.co.uk/lone_tree.htm)

Vision Comes with A Price

"A mountain tree if it would see"

It starts with a decision to be separated, to be a mountain tree.  Not that growing in the forest has any thing wrong.  Un-blurred vision is usually received at a high place separated from the seemingly good in order to bring out the best.  Jesus went up into a mountain alone to pray and to call unto Him his twelve disciples (Mark 3:13-15).  And also he chose to take three disciples to go with him into a high mountain apart from other disciples where He was transfigured before them (Matt 171-2).  At both places, He revealed the secret of His plan and heart toward those who pay the price to heed the call to follow Him to a higher place. 


"Such tree must battle doggedly, the blasts and beat the scars"

The altitude helps one to see further but it comes with an incredible price: blasting winds, severe cold, white hot, and a condition with much less water.  But it MUST battle.  Because every battle brings victory that allows one to continue "seeing" the far horizon and stars.  Many visionaries have stopped battling and folded back to their comfort zone so they also stopped "seeing". 

"May never know a sheltered place"

Worst of all, it is a place of being alone: vision always comes with a price tag that says "come up and be alone" (Rev. 4:1) Many Christian today rest in the safety of the sheltered place, not there is any thing wrong with it, satisfied with the security and protection it provides.  Lives are beautiful to the eye and "symmetrical in grace".  But there is one thing lacking in this picture, they would never know the Christ who calls up ascend the mountain with Him.

"Rise Up and Come Away"
I am inviting you to spend a minute with this music from JoAnn McFatter, "Invitation"