Keep Pushing

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!