Wait - a four letter word that I absolutely hate. I am the type
of person that finds it very difficult to sit and wait. I am
constantly thinking of something else to do. I have to be "doing"
something. I know it is genetic. My father and his family are much the
same way. If my dad gets an idea, he wants to put the plans in motion
right away. And being the first-born child in my family does not help
either. I like to be in control. I like to plan things out. I like to
know what is going to happen.
Last week I had the opportunity
and privilege of attending a Day of Reflection. It was wonderful. It
was a whole day set aside for the Lord. It was a time of prayer,
fasting, contemplation, and meditation on the Word of God. At the end
of the day, I asked God what He desired from me at this time. What was it that He wanted me to do? His
answer was very clear. "Be still and wait. Don't try to figure it
out. I'm going to show you. Just be still and wait on Me and what I
have for you. Give Me time. I promise you it's going to be great." So I
said, "Okay, God. I will wait."
Well, it's been a week, and
this morning as I was spending some quiet time with the Lord, He yet
again gives me the same word: "Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave
and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD." Psalm 27:14
"But
what do You want me to do while I wait?" I ask.
God's reply is "Wait."
"But I
need to be doing something."
"Wait."
"What exactly am I waiting on?"
"Wait."
"How long do I have to wait?"
"Wait."
The answer is always the same. I know God is
trying to work some things out of me and in me, but I'm so impatient
with this process. I want to know what is going to happen. I want to
know what I'm waiting on. I want to know how long I have to wait. And
God's only reply is "Wait." And so I wait...
"But they that wait
upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with
wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk,
and not faint." Isaiah 40:31
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Shift Change
Shift Change
So it is three o’clock in the morning, and I am up. Can’t sleep, because of two words God keeps putting in my spirit and mind – shift change. When God speaks, I have to get up and do whatever it is He is desiring, even if it is 3:00 am.
We had the privilege of hearing a minister at another local church tonight. His message was from several passages of Scripture. The first passage was Matthew 24:3-7, and he focused on the word “earthquake.” The second passage was from Acts 2:15-17, and the last passage was Acts 4:31 in which the Scripture states that when they prayed the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak the word of God with boldness. One of the main points of the message was that in these last days there is a change taking place in the spiritual realm. I do believe this and have also felt this in my spirit over the last year or so that the spiritual atmosphere is changing. The wind of the Holy Spirit has changed directions, so to speak, and God is ready to pour out His Spirit like never before as prophesied by the prophet Joel. There is a shifting in the spiritual atmosphere.
Shift change. I’ve felt that so much in my own life over the past two years. The direction I once was headed has suddenly shifted. The call that I once felt on my life has changed. Just like in an earthquake where the plates beneath the earth shift position, it isn’t something that we can see physically with our eyes, but we can see the effects of what is happening underneath manifest on the surface of the earth. I know something is shifting in the spiritual realm. I sense it. I feel it. I can’t exactly see in the physical what is happening, but I know something is happening, because I can see the effects on the surface. It is hard to describe. I can see it in a way, but it is like looking through a clouded glass. I can’t really see the full picture. I can’t fathom where it is I am going. I just know that God is saying move much like He did to Abraham. He didn’t tell Abraham where he was going. He just told him to move. Genesis 12:1.
So I’ve been obedient and moved even though those around me don’t understand. How can I impart to them understanding when I don’t know what it is exactly I am doing myself. I have a vague idea of where I am headed with moments of clarity but for the most part just vagueness. As I embark on this journey, I am reminded of Mary in Luke 2:19 where it states that she kept all the things in her heart and pondered them. She had been told by an angel that she would bring forth the Saviour of the world. As a virgin, she conceived a child through the Holy Spirit. Shepherds came to the birth and spoke of an angelic visitation announcing the birth of her Son. There was a shift change going on. She could see the things happening on the surface – the angelic visitations, the miraculous birth, but she had no idea where this would all lead. She probably sensed it was something big, but she could not see the plates shifting beneath. She knew her Son would become the Saviour of the earth, but how it would all play out she couldn’t quite see. And she really didn’t have anyone with which she could share this great news. She didn’t have anyone who would really understand. Most people did not believe her story of a virgin birth, probably not even her parents. The only people with whom she could really share this miraculous revelation were her cousin, Elizabeth, and her fiancée, Joseph, but only after he had his own angelic visitation.
When I recently began to make some changes in my life, I felt much like Mary. For the most part, I really can’t share with most people what is going on. I only feel the liberty to share these things with those who are closest to me. One reason is because I don’t really know all that is going to take place myself. Secondly, and most importantly, most people do not understand things in the spiritual realm. They see life totally through the natural, and it is difficult to explain something happening in the spiritual to those who only see in the natural.
I’ve had many ask why in regards to the changes that have occurred recently. I often answer vaguely with “I feel the Lord is leading me in a new direction,” mostly because I know they wouldn’t understand, and also because what I do see of where God is taking me, it is big. And I don’t want to be boastful about the plans God has for my life, because it isn’t really about me. It is all about Him and bringing Him glory. I am just a vessel. If there is anything good in me, it is Him and Him alone. If any of these plans take place, it is because of Him. I also realize that there are always doubters and naysayers who will try to destroy the vision God has for my life and your life as well. Be careful with whom you share your dreams. Remember Joseph. When he shared his dreams with his brothers, he received a one-way ticket to a pit. We are wise if we ponder some things in our heart as Mary did.
Some people still press for more information. After all, there must be more to my recent decisions than just the Lord leading me in a different direction. Others rationalize that I have chosen to spend time at home with the new baby which in fact is part of the direction that God is leading me, but certainly not the sole purpose of this unexpected change in direction. And of course, people seem to be constantly asking me, “What are you going to do now?” or “Are you going back to work on the weekends?” To which, I usually give some answer such as, “I am going to be busy homeschooling.” Or “I’m going to wait and see how things go.” Even after telling people I will be homeschooling, many still ask what I am going to be doing which can at times be quite annoying. Obviously, these people have never homeschooled. It is a full time job, People! Besides the homeschooling bit, I am also the bookkeeper/secretary for my husband’s business which is often time consuming. My husband works nights, so I am the primary caregiver most of the time to our girls. I am the praise team leader at my church and am actively involved in Bible study, prayer meetings, missions, etc. If there is something going on at the church, I am usually there. And of course, I do like to spend as much time as I can with the Lord reading His Word and being in His presence.
I do not say all of this to “toot my own horn” so to speak or to complain. I love the place God has me in at this time. I only mention these things because many people assume that if you do not have a job outside of the home, then you must have plenty of spare time. So as this shift change occurs from working full time outside of the home to working full time inside my home, I have had to deal with many questions. And it is easier to say, “Oh, I don’t know what I’m going to do now” or “Wherever God leads” than to give an accurate description of exactly what I do with all my time or explain that God has told me to pack my bags, it is time to move to another land that He will show me. Maybe I should use that last one. That would probably blow some people's minds..
But I digress. Back to shift change. This blog is part of that shift change. I’ve known for quite some time that this change in direction is because God is calling me to write and to preach and teach His Word not only here at home, but also in the mission field. So after getting some things in order over the last few months and getting homeschool underway, I am ready to pack my bags and head to the land that God will show me. Sometimes God asks us to make some changes in our lives. We may not see clearly where we are going or what is going on beneath the surface, but we sense in the spirit realm that God is asking something of us. It may be something small or it may be a big change as it has been for me. You may not be understood. You may face many questions to which you don’t have all the answers. But just as Abraham and Mary, we need to be ready and willing to go wherever God leads. May our attitude be that of Mary when she said in Luke 1:38, “…be it unto me according to your word…”
So it is three o’clock in the morning, and I am up. Can’t sleep, because of two words God keeps putting in my spirit and mind – shift change. When God speaks, I have to get up and do whatever it is He is desiring, even if it is 3:00 am.
We had the privilege of hearing a minister at another local church tonight. His message was from several passages of Scripture. The first passage was Matthew 24:3-7, and he focused on the word “earthquake.” The second passage was from Acts 2:15-17, and the last passage was Acts 4:31 in which the Scripture states that when they prayed the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak the word of God with boldness. One of the main points of the message was that in these last days there is a change taking place in the spiritual realm. I do believe this and have also felt this in my spirit over the last year or so that the spiritual atmosphere is changing. The wind of the Holy Spirit has changed directions, so to speak, and God is ready to pour out His Spirit like never before as prophesied by the prophet Joel. There is a shifting in the spiritual atmosphere.
Shift change. I’ve felt that so much in my own life over the past two years. The direction I once was headed has suddenly shifted. The call that I once felt on my life has changed. Just like in an earthquake where the plates beneath the earth shift position, it isn’t something that we can see physically with our eyes, but we can see the effects of what is happening underneath manifest on the surface of the earth. I know something is shifting in the spiritual realm. I sense it. I feel it. I can’t exactly see in the physical what is happening, but I know something is happening, because I can see the effects on the surface. It is hard to describe. I can see it in a way, but it is like looking through a clouded glass. I can’t really see the full picture. I can’t fathom where it is I am going. I just know that God is saying move much like He did to Abraham. He didn’t tell Abraham where he was going. He just told him to move. Genesis 12:1.
So I’ve been obedient and moved even though those around me don’t understand. How can I impart to them understanding when I don’t know what it is exactly I am doing myself. I have a vague idea of where I am headed with moments of clarity but for the most part just vagueness. As I embark on this journey, I am reminded of Mary in Luke 2:19 where it states that she kept all the things in her heart and pondered them. She had been told by an angel that she would bring forth the Saviour of the world. As a virgin, she conceived a child through the Holy Spirit. Shepherds came to the birth and spoke of an angelic visitation announcing the birth of her Son. There was a shift change going on. She could see the things happening on the surface – the angelic visitations, the miraculous birth, but she had no idea where this would all lead. She probably sensed it was something big, but she could not see the plates shifting beneath. She knew her Son would become the Saviour of the earth, but how it would all play out she couldn’t quite see. And she really didn’t have anyone with which she could share this great news. She didn’t have anyone who would really understand. Most people did not believe her story of a virgin birth, probably not even her parents. The only people with whom she could really share this miraculous revelation were her cousin, Elizabeth, and her fiancée, Joseph, but only after he had his own angelic visitation.
When I recently began to make some changes in my life, I felt much like Mary. For the most part, I really can’t share with most people what is going on. I only feel the liberty to share these things with those who are closest to me. One reason is because I don’t really know all that is going to take place myself. Secondly, and most importantly, most people do not understand things in the spiritual realm. They see life totally through the natural, and it is difficult to explain something happening in the spiritual to those who only see in the natural.
I’ve had many ask why in regards to the changes that have occurred recently. I often answer vaguely with “I feel the Lord is leading me in a new direction,” mostly because I know they wouldn’t understand, and also because what I do see of where God is taking me, it is big. And I don’t want to be boastful about the plans God has for my life, because it isn’t really about me. It is all about Him and bringing Him glory. I am just a vessel. If there is anything good in me, it is Him and Him alone. If any of these plans take place, it is because of Him. I also realize that there are always doubters and naysayers who will try to destroy the vision God has for my life and your life as well. Be careful with whom you share your dreams. Remember Joseph. When he shared his dreams with his brothers, he received a one-way ticket to a pit. We are wise if we ponder some things in our heart as Mary did.
Some people still press for more information. After all, there must be more to my recent decisions than just the Lord leading me in a different direction. Others rationalize that I have chosen to spend time at home with the new baby which in fact is part of the direction that God is leading me, but certainly not the sole purpose of this unexpected change in direction. And of course, people seem to be constantly asking me, “What are you going to do now?” or “Are you going back to work on the weekends?” To which, I usually give some answer such as, “I am going to be busy homeschooling.” Or “I’m going to wait and see how things go.” Even after telling people I will be homeschooling, many still ask what I am going to be doing which can at times be quite annoying. Obviously, these people have never homeschooled. It is a full time job, People! Besides the homeschooling bit, I am also the bookkeeper/secretary for my husband’s business which is often time consuming. My husband works nights, so I am the primary caregiver most of the time to our girls. I am the praise team leader at my church and am actively involved in Bible study, prayer meetings, missions, etc. If there is something going on at the church, I am usually there. And of course, I do like to spend as much time as I can with the Lord reading His Word and being in His presence.
I do not say all of this to “toot my own horn” so to speak or to complain. I love the place God has me in at this time. I only mention these things because many people assume that if you do not have a job outside of the home, then you must have plenty of spare time. So as this shift change occurs from working full time outside of the home to working full time inside my home, I have had to deal with many questions. And it is easier to say, “Oh, I don’t know what I’m going to do now” or “Wherever God leads” than to give an accurate description of exactly what I do with all my time or explain that God has told me to pack my bags, it is time to move to another land that He will show me. Maybe I should use that last one. That would probably blow some people's minds..
But I digress. Back to shift change. This blog is part of that shift change. I’ve known for quite some time that this change in direction is because God is calling me to write and to preach and teach His Word not only here at home, but also in the mission field. So after getting some things in order over the last few months and getting homeschool underway, I am ready to pack my bags and head to the land that God will show me. Sometimes God asks us to make some changes in our lives. We may not see clearly where we are going or what is going on beneath the surface, but we sense in the spirit realm that God is asking something of us. It may be something small or it may be a big change as it has been for me. You may not be understood. You may face many questions to which you don’t have all the answers. But just as Abraham and Mary, we need to be ready and willing to go wherever God leads. May our attitude be that of Mary when she said in Luke 1:38, “…be it unto me according to your word…”
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