Hi saints, the New year is upon us, and I can imagine that as others in different regions of the country are accustomed to making resolutions, that the tradition may have roots here on the left Coast as well. Our resolutions are a way of challenging ourselves to embark upon a new chapter of our personal development, and this is to be encouraged! Perhaps like me, you dread passing mirrors or large window pains that give you a glimpse of your increasing waistline. This year I decree that mine is going to shrink, in JESUS name! This will mean that I will be taking less lunches with some of you, naturally. Please know that I will be available for fellowship, though we will need to switch the focal point from breaking bread to breaking a sweat. Be advised that if you constantly ask me to lunch this year, you reveal that you likely didn’t read this article. LOL!
With our best interest in heart, our Heavenly Father also designs seasons of transition in our life, knowing what we stand in need of better than we do ourselves. Yet often time we are resistant to change that is imposed upon us, as we prefer to captain our destiny, so to speak, and I want to challenge you to adopt a new perspective on those pesky uncontrollable circumstances of our lives. I draw your attention to GOD’s exhortation through the prophet Isaiah, where HE says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? (Isaiah 43:18-19a.) At the heart of the transitions that GOD takes us through is an important lesson for us to grasp when we can’t manipulate our circumstances: First, GOD is always in control, even when we aren’t. This means that we can resort to GOD for rest in the midst of the situation, instead of allowing people or circumstances to rob us of our energy, hope, and or our joy. GOD uses transitions to teach us how to rely on HIM instead of our own knowledge, strength, or network. GOD will see to it that we are strong in our trust in HIM, even though we often believe we’re good in that department. I know this insight sounds flighty, but we will always need to surrender to GOD’s new work in our lives. Second, our growth in knowing GOD rarely occurs doing times of status quo. It’s during times of change that we instinctively seek GOD with increased passion because we don’t know how things will work out. In this way, GOD helps us to surrender and become pliable to HIS process of molding our lives. The Father helps us to discover all that we are capable of becoming, and only HE knows what changes we need to undergo to best serve HIS purposes in the new season.
Let’s consider the transition the Israelites experienced during the transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua. For forty years they followed GOD’s prophet in the wilderness wondering and enjoyed GOD’s supernatural provision the entire time. However, GOD was delivering them from fear and unbelief, so they would move into Canaan, and take possession of the Land. Joshua was to lead them into war, which was their process of maturing from being underdeveloped. As slaves they had never fought any battles, and during their wandering they also never went through boot camp. Therefore, they would have to trust that GOD would help them win the battles. Yet they also needed to learn how to take care of themselves at a fundamental level. Contemplate the scope of that transition for a moment. They had to shift from being carried by GOD, to learning to how to stand up for themselves, while relying on GOD to help them to realize they were warriors, though they never trained for war. Similarly, JESUS sent out the 72 disciples to preach the gospel, without the benefit of their having first attended seminary. Yet because JESUS sent them out, they were never apart from the ministry of HOLY SPIRIT, and they performed numerous miracles, because their names were written in Heaven (Luke 10:1-20.) Amen!
GOD is always teaching us the balance between trusting in HIM and discovering all the strength, gifts, and fortitude HE has already placed within us before we were born. We are capable of much more than we know when we are surrendered to GOD’s plans. Instead of caving to our limited experience and wisdom, fear of the unknown, our lack of resources, and whatever else deceives us into resisting change, let’s call in our help from Heaven, and move forward anyway! May you experience the LORD in your seasons of transition, so that you know HIM, and yourself better. Have a prosperous year 2024!
Grace and Peace,
Pstr. Mark