Good Day!
How is the weather in your season right now?
As I woke up this morning, I could feel a shift in the literal season (from Summer to Fall) as well as in my life. As I walked outside this morning the air smelled different, the sun was in a different position than normal for that time of morning, I could feel things changing although everything still looked the same around me (oh my...I could preach that!) Have you ever went to sleep and woke up feeling like a totally different person, where nothing around you is or feels comfortable anymore? Well I have to be honest, that is what the weather is like in my seasons right now. Seasons (plural) you may ask? Yes, at this present time I fell like I'm actually inside (or in between) two different seasons. And I also have to admit that its partially my fault. You see, God operates in Ages, Dispensations and Covenants (I feel a bible study coming on...SMILE!). And just like spring changes to summer, summer to fall, fall to winter, winter to spring and back again, so does our lives and how God chooses to deal with us during these seasons. You see God is so good that He deals with us just where we are and He is so patient. But sometimes God shifts us, our situations, circumstances, etc., (and without notice...can you believe that!) because we can become so comfortable with what was until we don't continue to look and seek God for what is to be. Furthermore, seasons come to mature and to move us into various new levels and relationships with God. We see it in the Word, God deals differently with His people within the 3 Ages, 7 Dispensations and 8 Covenants contained within scripture in order to get His people where they needed (or need) to be for that time in order to push them into greater levels and dimensions in Him. So we see that it is necessary for change to come in order for God's will to be performed in our lives.
As I stated earlier, I felt myself in between two different seasons because I could feel things changing around me for the last couple of months, but me being me and thinking I knew best in certain situations, tried to hold on to somethings that God was trying to transition out of my life. So now I find myself in between what was AND where God is trying to take me. What keeps us from moving further in God, in our lives, careers, relationships, etc. May I submit to you that it just may be fear! Now, I would tell you in a New York second that I am not afraid of success, living comfortable and being prosperous, etc. But after I did a self evaluation (because I could now feel the strain of being in between these two seasons), I found that I was fearful of moving into my new season. Why you may ask? Well, its in our human nature to want to hold on to things, especially when it took us so long to get a certain thing or to a certain place in life. Its hard to see something that you worked so hard to ascertain be taken away from you or destroyed over night. Its hard to let a person or relationship go that you invested so much of yourself, your time, resources and emotions into. But its even harder to go through a transition with folks watching you, some hoping that you fall and fail, some watching you as a source of personal hope and others who are praying and sowing into your success. And that's real talk folks. And to be honest, NOBODY likes going through change that causes you to have to shed friends, habits (good or bad), etc. But be comforted in knowing that if you are changing (as I am now) then its because you said yes to God, His will and His way for you life. Because one way or the other, if you are chosen of God you are going to get to the place that He wants you to be in. Its your choice if its going to be the hard way or God's way. And although it may be a little tough, lonely and dry right now, know that when you come though this juncture that you will be better, wiser and stronger than you were before.
In Ecclesiastes 3 we get examples from the writer Solomon (who was a King in Jerusalem) as to the various changes and vicissitudes that life can and will bring. He starts out by saying (as the Message bible puts it) "There's an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth." He then goes on to say that there is a time to be born and a time to die...a time to love and a time to hate, etc. The writer gives the reader solace by letting us know in this book (especially in this chapter) that its ok as a spiritual [human] being to go through change, just know what God is in your change and flow with him. As I was reading this once before I was in the midst of questioning God, asking him "why me...why now...why do I have to go through this...cant you pick on someone who doesn't tithe and give offerings...can you pick on somebody else who is not in your will...when is it going to be my time and my turn..." and then I ran into verse 14 & 15 of the 3rd chapter of Ecclesiastes which states: "I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past." The Message bible says it like this: "I've also concluded that whatever God does, that's the way it's going to be, always. No addition, no subtraction. God's done it and that's it. That's so we'll quit asking questions and simply worship in holy fear. (WOW!!!) Whatever was, is. Whatever will be, is. That's how it always is with God." I quickly stopped my complaining and murmuring and said "thank you Lord" for I can now see that Him shifting me was not a punishment but rather Him crushing me to get the oil (or anointing) to flow even greater within me. He is getting my character, integrity and spirit man built up so that my character will be able to handle where I'm going with integrity!
So no matter how the weather is in your season just know that you wont always have to dance in the rain but there is soon coming a day where you will be dancing in the REIGN! Just know if you can lift your head and dance through the storm that God sees that and He honors that and He wont be slack concerning His promises toward you. When He looks and sees you serving with tears in your eyes, shouting when you don't even know how your need is going to be met and worshiping when you don't know how you are going to make it through a situation; He will then open the windows of Heaven and pour you out that blessing that you wont have room enough to receive. And before you know it you will dry your eyes only to discover that while you were serving God, He healed your body. You will look up from your shouting to discover that your bus pass is now a key to a brand new vehicle that He blessed you with debt free! You will look up from your worshiping and see that you are not where you used to be and that God has elevated you and taken you higher. Say yes through your shift my friend, and keep a praise in your mouth because before you know it you will be able to say "He did it just like that"...oh my I feel a dance of gladness coming on so let me end this now! Be encouraged my friend and know that things work out for the good of them who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
Have a great week!
Much Love,
Clyde L. Webster
Songs of Encouragement for this week:
-Encourage Yourself (Donald Lawrence)
-Great Things (Ricky Dillard)
-Im Changing (Pastor William Murphy, III)
No comments:
Post a Comment