FJWL_02:571
         (To a married couple:) Once upon a time, there were two beautiful, smooth, clear, clean rivers that flowed parallel to one another. But with My hand, I caused these rivers to intersect, to come together and meet, and to become one.
         As they flowed together and grew, behold, they came to the edge of a mountain, and these rivers that once were so smooth and beautiful went tumbling over the edge. The river tumbled ever so violently down the mountain, thrashing and beating against the rocks and the boulders. But it was through this very tumbling and thrashing that the water was purified, aerated and cleansed, and it became a beautiful waterfall that many could look upon.
         The pain inflicted upon this river was the very thing that made it beautiful. Its willingness to be thrashed about and beat against the boulders was the very thing that made it magnificent and drew people's attention to it, and caused them to marvel at the beauty before their eyes. If it were not for the pain and if it were not for the yieldedness to go through this suffering, then this river would just be ordinary, and no one would care to look upon it. But because of this sacrifice and this death to self, it becomes a beautiful masterpiece in My hand, My creation.
         And after this time of suffering and purging and thrashing and purifying, behold what is at the bottom of this beautiful waterfall--a deep and gloriously clear pool of cool, refreshing water! These two rivers that have united and have been purged and broken have become a beautiful pool of water.
         Many people come to sit beside the pool. They dip their hands in the cool water and they are refreshed and strengthened and their battles are alleviated. They find strength and encouragement and comfort in this pool that is so deep and cool and clear and precious in My sight. The river has become a vessel, a channel to quench the thirst of many people.
         Lift up your eyes and look to the end of the road, for there is a purpose and a plan, and it is this pool that I am forming. This is My goal, to form of these rivers and of this thrashing waterfall a beautiful pool of refreshing water that many will come to and drink from, and there find succor and comfort and encouragement.
         Therefore, be not weary in well doing. Be not weary with the battles and with the beating upon you and the discomfort, for there is an end in sight. There is a time of rest and reprieve from the battles. Then you will marvel at My hand and you will appreciate this time of being thrashed about, this time when your yieldedness is being tested.
         Therefore be not weary, but hold on! Continue to yield and to allow yourself to be broken and to be purged and to be cleansed, that you might become that which I have designed.
         For though the rivers are beautiful, and though the waterfall is magnificent, and many people look at it and marvel, the end of the road, this beautiful pool, will be the most beautiful! For this is when you shall come to the end of yourselves, and My plan and My purpose shall then be accomplished, which is to feed and refresh and strengthen and succor and comfort many, yea, I say multitudes! (GN 649)



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