supernatural shift
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." John 12:24 KJV
Recently we've been feeling strong transition, stretching and even a dying of certain things as we are being poised to step up into the new levels the Lord has for us. When you've walked around the same mountain for years it can be very uncomfortable but necessary to shift and redirect to take possession of the promised land. You won't seize your God given destiny by chance. The Bible says that, "...from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." Matthew 11:12 Our dreams, our destinies require action. They will necessitate personal change, growth and shifting.
Last night I attended a meeting of a mighty man of God, from Nigeria, and his message could not have been more divinely inspired. He was speaking on this very truth and admonishing us that we must "Shift" to step into all the Lord has for us and stop going around the same mountains. For some the mountain might be a thought pattern that once served you well but cannot be carried into the new land. For some it might be friend groups or situations that can't contain the new anointing you are walking in. For others it may be that comfort level of serving under others when God is calling you to come out and rise into His plan for you as a leader or minister.
Whatever the mountains we've been content walking around we have to choose to break free from the patterns and defaults that no longer represent who we've transformed into being and what we're called to or settle in with the fact that if we choose not to shift this time next year we'll be in the same place we are now and likely never take hold of the promised land the Lord has set before us.
I must warn you... this seizing your destiny isn't a walk in the park. Be prepared to be misunderstood, rejected, and challenged relationally and personally. But know that God will see you through. If He be for you who can stand against you? The man of God, last night, spoke about how the vision will require of us a decision. We must choose to look into the face of self-doubt, unbelief and even discouragement or rejection from others and dare to believe what God has spoken to us about His plans and purposes for us. We must agree with His assessment of who we are and what we can do in spite of what anyone else, including ourselves, might think.
As you change and shift please know that some won't like it. They'll prefer that things stay comfortable and that you stay predictable and within the lens they've been seeing you through but you can't do that and fulfill your God given destiny. Just as a plant will outgrow a pot it's planted in and become root bound and starved over time if the pot isn't enlarged so it is with us. I'm so grateful that our pastor, Dr. Rodney Howard-Browne, doesn't believe in confining people in small pots. He makes room for growth. He makes room for the anointing. And he encourages us all to rise up into the fullness of who God says we are, even in the face of much opposition.
Another thing to note as you embrace the shift is that not every opportunity is by God's design even though it might sound good. Since Dec. of last year my husband and I have had at least 4 ministries invite us to be a part of their leadership teams. While those invitations were a blessing and we honor the ministries and ministers that extended them we had to humbly decline as we are called to be full time five fold minsters ourselves. And we have a ministry that the Lord has been birthing through us that is being poised to rapidly increase. We've been prompted, by the Lord, to focus our attention in our first year of marriage mainly on building our foundation of unity as well as intentionally pouring into our family but the year is quickly coming to an end. That hasn't stopped us from being a help to those ministries and I certainly encourage you to keep serving, but we must see the direction of God for us personally and step into OUR assignments.
We've both faithfully served under other ministers for over 20+ years and honestly that's the perceived "comfortable place" even though we've both been credentialed ministers for years. I've found with God though that He's not overly concerned with our comfort but desires our obedience and sensitivity to His leading. So while the road to embracing the shift isn't all roses, it's worth it.
Even if you feel all alone in this walk... Jesus + you = a majority.
With Him steering your ship and making a way where there seems to be no way you can't fail. People will come and go but the Lord will NEVER leave you nor forsake you.
So Dear Reader....
Dare to step out...
Dare to embrace what He's shown you...
Dare to shift and watch in wonder as His supernatural meets your natural.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
