There were many as he moved the canoe through the blackish waters…

Russell & Styers

Jun 2

I had a vision one night. It was a long vision. Not long after having the vision I wrote a book about it called, Treading Through Dark Waters.

I saw a young man, he is in a canoe and was moving the paddle from one side to the other, moving the canoe forward with each push. In the blackish waters all around him were dead bodies, all floating with their face down. He went from one side to the next, moving the canoe through the blackish waters. In time he made it to shore and stepped out onto solid ground. He then reached down toward the front of the canoe, lifting a backpack that he was to carry.

(Proverbs 14:12 "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.")

He slid the straps of the backpack over his shoulders and began to walk into the woods in front of him. He eventually came upon a clearing and to his right he saw a log. So, he made his way to it and sat down. The backpack, which was behind him, it was no more than two feet high by two feet wide, but it held all he needed for his journey. As he sat there, I noticed he had a book in his hands. I was moved up closer to his left side and that's when I saw what he was reading. It was a small Bible that he always carried with him. He read a few verses, then reached back to retrieve some items from his backpack.

(Psalm 23:4-6 "Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord.")

To be so small, the backpack had everything he needed, provisions of every kind. There was a tent to cover him and a blanket to keep him warm. Utensils and something to cook the food that he had. He took out what was needed to nourish his body, then put all that he had taken out back in the pack. He smiled then reached up to a pocket on the front of his shirt pulling a piece of paper out. It was the pocket closes to his heart. He unfolded the piece of paper that he kept so close. It was worn and tattered, but you could still read what was on it. It was a map, a drawing on how to go, how to get to where he was being called to go.

I watched as he glanced up and looked past the forest in front of him. There stood the place he was going; he was going to the mountain, that was past the forest. He then stood up and turn to retrieve the backpack he had carried but the backpack was no longer there. There now was a small cloth pouch, purple in color and it had two long draw strings connected to it. Suddenly a very heavy, very thick coat appeared, and it was quickly put on him before he took another step. He would need it to get to where he was going. He then slid the long draw strings over each arm and proceeded to make his way to the mountain that was before him.

(Psalm 91:1-12 "Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished. If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands, so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone.")

The coat which he now wore was for the chill he would receive from those he came upon, on his walk toward the mountain. His mother had pushed him away long before then and what he saw most from his father, was his back most of his life. His brother was no different than his mother and father. He wanted nothing to do with him because of the mountain. He did not let any of it stop him from getting to where he was going.

(Luke 12:53 "Father will be divided against son and son against father; mother against daughter and daughter against mother; and mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.")

He continued his walk and came upon the mountain. On top he could see a light shining so brightly, so he continued his journey to get to where he was going. The coat he wore also protected him from others. Those who threw darts at him as he went past them in his canoe through the dark waters. He suffered much and lost things he held so dear, but he knew it was coming, he had seen it so clear.

He finally made it to the top of the mountain. There before him was beauty and splendor waiting for him to enter. As he slid the long draw strings off his arms, the thick coat he wore wasn't there anymore. He held the small cloth bag in his hands, then open it to reveal that which was in it. He poured it out onto his left hand and held it up, to show what he had. It was a heart that at one time was made of stone that he had carried but now was one of flesh, for it had changed during his journey.

(Ezekiel 36:26 "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you, and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.")

His attention was then brought to his left, standing there before him were those who had traveled the same path, who made the same journey. As he walked over to join them, he noticed he was now wearing a beautiful robe. As he came upon those who were standing there before him. He noticed they all were looking in one direction. Once he joined them, he looked in that direction too. He now knew he had made it to his final destination. There before them, was Jesus, his Savior sitting upon His throne. Not one word was said, they just stood there waiting for the time to come for the Son to hear His Father's voice, saying to Him, Son, the time has come.

(Matthew 24:36 "Concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only." Matthew 24:44 "Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.")