Dear Friend,
Will we ever stop hearing the clarion voice of
God as He prophetically proclaims, "Change!"? I don't
think so! I believe that we are in that portion of time that
Scripture talks about in relation to birth pains. I believe constant
change is here not only to stay, but also to increase. Sure, we'll
have seasons where we'll take a breather before going into the next
series of changes, but the brevity will become apparent.
It stands out to me that God seems to be
expecting the Body of Christ to learn quickly in this hour. Why?
It's all about time! If you haven't noticed, time is accelerating.
More has to fit into shorter time frames for the purposes of God to
be accomplished. It seems as though the potter is working overtime
on the clay and so He is. And, yes, it's about time for some things
to happen! We seem to learn when we must. Who was it that said,
"Necessity is the mother of invention"? New direction for
our lives is invited when old ways no longer work for us. How
convenient for God!
Our rights are being challenged as we decide to
walk with God in this season. Who is the challenger? None other than
God Himself. What rights do we feel that we have which their
validity should not be questioned? Why do we feel that we can
reserve privileges not awarded through our salvation in Christ?
After all, we are not our own.
You see, we like change as long as we choose it.
Chosen change is not too difficult. We rather enjoy it at times. But
what about change that has not been chosen? What about imposed
change? How well do we do with it? Attitude makes the difference! We
can feel unimportant if we chose. It's rather a matter of our
importance. It's all a matter of perspective..."picked-on"
or "hand-picked". We have been selected by God! He expends
His efforts equipping us to be more like Christ!
It is said that "an hour of pain is as long
as a day of pleasure". We are in the University of Adversity.
Our degree is in holiness. To be fully prepared, we must learn fast
and pass the class! Otherwise, we'll have to take it over again! His
glory and Spirit come when we praise Him in the hour of our
discomfort!
1 Peter 4:12-14 reads, "Beloved, do not
be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for
your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;
but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on
rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may
rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ,
you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon
you."
We know that over the next several years the
Church will undergo major changes. In order to get there, we must
not resist the changes God wants presently. It's the tree that
doesn't bend that breaks in the wind. Norman Vincent Peale once
said, "When you see a problem coming down the road, holler
'Hello problem! Where have you been? I've been training for you all
my life!'"
When our misery level exceeds our comfort level,
we will experience change. Where is your misery level?! Let us
expect the change that God has for us! Even those changes that we
think are undeserved or unjust! Let us welcome them! God loves us
too much for us to remain the same! I'll end with this last thought
from James 1:2-4...
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you
encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith
produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that
you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Until we meet again, we are...
Reaching for Heaven & Touching the Nations,
Bret A.Wade
