I know I haven’t blogged in a
little under or month or so, but this season of my life hasn’t really allowed
me to do so. We must know the season that we are in, because there is a time
for everything as the wise man Solomon wrote in the beginning of the third
chapter of Ecclesiastes. This season has probably been one of the
most difficult seasons of my life. I am walking out 2 Corinthians 5:7 “For
we walk by faith, not by sight.” Each of us has a promise from God, a vision
from God, and an inheritance from God. It is in the wilderness place and the
place of tribulation that those things are grown and eventually birthed. God has been emphasizing that I stay in a
place of peace, and praise. James 1:1-4 has what I have been continually
trying to live throughout the past month and a half. When the times get harder
we must praise Him. When times look bleak we must praise Him. When times are
desolate we must praise Him, and when times looks impossible we must praise
Him. I believe that praising Him more through the tough times than the good
times builds a stronger relationship, but we are to praise Him equally in each
season.
I
had recently talked to my father about a little of what I have been growing
through, and I told him that even though things are difficult I am in a place
of peace beyond my understanding (Philippians 4:7). I have so
much peace it is in a way freaking me out. Situations that used to bother me no
longer bother me. People that used to bother me no longer bother me. I do not
even really feel like myself. I am so calm while the storm is swirling around
me. Praise God that He has given me grace for such a season. He never gives us
more than we can handle, and His grace is sufficient through each step in our
lives. We must understand that the only way to get to the promises that God has
for us we must cross the desert to get there. The Israelites could not get out
of the desert for 40 years, because they were unwilling to incline their ears
to what God was tell them. We must be obedient (Deuteronomy 28) in order
to leave the wilderness and step into the promises of God. It seems that with
each vision that we get from God comes a bigger desert to cross, but thank God
for the desert. If it weren’t for the times in the desert than we would all be
spoiled immature Christians. He takes us through the wilderness to see what we
are made of, to build our character, and to make sure we will be able to handle
our inheritance correctly. We must persevere through the hard times with the
knowledge that the promises of God are at the other end of the desert.
Jesus
Himself was driven by the Spirit into the wilderness (Matthew 4). In the
wilderness place Jesus was tempted by satan, but overcame by the Word of God.
In the wilderness place we must never grow weary from persecution, but stand
fast on the Word of God. Intimate time with God, praising His glorious name,
and staying in the Word are key aspects to getting through the wilderness to
attain the promise. I love how Jesus had to go through various trials to reach
the vision that God had laid before Him, because it always shows that we can do
the same since He dwells in us. How amazing is it to know that we will be able
push out the vision that God has impregnated us with. I heard His voice clearly
this morning say to me “Keep Pushing.” It is as though at times in this season
that I am having birth pangs deep within my Spirit. I can see the vision ahead
of me, but it seems but just a bit out of my grasp. We must keep pushing, we
must keep persevering through these times, because if we do not darkness wins.
If you are not obedient to God, He will give the opportunity to somebody else
who is willing to embrace the pain. I refuse to give up my birthright to
somebody else, because I could not call upon God to give me strength to keep
pursuing what He has for me. It is as if He is a parent standing at the side of
a pool cheering His kid on to finish the race to the other end of the pool. The
race may be difficult and tiring, but in the end is a sweet reward and season
accomplished. Could you imagine what
life would be like if Christ did not embrace the wilderness place? Would He
have done all of the signs and wonders that He did? Would He have died on the
cross for our sins? These are just questions I ponder from time to time that
keep me motivated to keep pushing. You never know who is going to be affected
by you attaining, with God, the vision that He has given you. Your vision could
very well shape the course of history. We must remember that He has given us a
vision so that we can accomplish it together, and that we are never alone (John
8:29/ 1 Thessalonians 5:24).
I
pray Lord that we all continue to keep pushing through each season of our lives
so that we can accomplish with You what You have set us out to do. I pray that
You bless us with peace and unyielding strength (Psalms 29:11) to
survive the wilderness. I pray Father that you give us revelation and knowledge
of You through these seasons, and that You enlighten the eyes of our
understanding (Ephesians 1:17-18). I also pray that new songs of praise
come forth through us, so that we can give You all the honor, all the glory,
and all the praise for each promise we receive. Instill in us teachable
spirits, so that we may learn Your ways. I pray for wisdom and discernment to
abound in each of. We love You from the depths of our hearts. You are the One
that we live for. You are the One that we want. Reveal Your face to us, so that
we can look into Your eyes of fire. Your will be done Father, and we bless You.
Thank You for Your manifest presence as
I can feel it falling down on me as I write this. May each person that reads
this have an encounter with Him, and may each of you be blessed. Amen!
