Tested by Fire?

We are currently undergoing some pretty intense testing by an outside power who-as-yet-will-remain-unnamed, and by chance (!? Ok, clearly NOT by chance!), I came across these quotes from dear Lanier at one of my favorite blogs, Lanier's Books.

“The road must be trod, but it will be very hard. And neither strength nor wisdom will carry us very far upon it. This quest may be attempted by the weak with as much hope as the strong. Yet such is oft the course of deeds that move the wheels of the world: small hands do them because they must while the eyes of the great are elsewhere.”
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

"God gives us the vision, then He takes us down to the valley to batter us into the shape of the vision, and it is in the valley that so many of us faint and give way…The vision is not a castle in the air, but a vision of what God wants you to be. Let Him put you on His wheel and whirl you as He likes, and as sure as God is God and you are you, you will turn out exactly in accordance with the vision. Don’t lose heart in the process. If you have ever had the vision of God, you may try as you like to be satisfied on a lower level, but God will never let you."

Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
They will run and not be weary,
They will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40: 30, 31

How perfectly timely! Thank you, Lanier for the reminder, and the resolve to soldier on towards the goal--together!