“Seasons Change” – this phrase brings new meaning here in the NorthWest. It’s late June and the high today is 60˚. I’m not complaining by any means. It’s just different.
As we walk through life there are many twists and turns – long stretches of the “same old” and some days that bring mountain top experiences that you want to camp out and never descend. Life is exciting! Especially with Jesus our Messiah! But along with the journey requires a soft heart that is attentive to the Holy Spirit and His leading – this can only be apprehended by spending time with Him.
Today, I watched my two oldest children head to their departing gate en route to Mobile to be with family and friends for a month of summer fun. It was surreal – to say the least. The two that were once just little girls and boys playing on the floor with papa are now heading off on there own to a far away place – to make decisions for themselves and hopefully make good ones! Seasons do change and I know this is only preparation for a season change in their near future.
Things are shifting in the natural for the Moses’ – many things – things I’m not sure I’m ready for but none the less they are approaching. I know He will help us. But even more so there are major things changing in the spiritual realm.
Recently, I had the opportunity to speak at El Shaddai Ministries while Pastor Mark was gone and part of the message I gave came from Numbers 1 – it had to do with the tribes preparing for entry into the promise land. A census was taken to position each tribe in its place as they followed the cloud by day and the fire by night. They were being trained to operate in their rightful places. In preparing for the message I sensed that God was and is preparing our hands for war. I don’t know exactly what all that entails and I’m okay with that – I just know He is awakening the warrior in all of us to stand up and be confident in the good news of His Kingdom that He has given us to share – to be confident in the hope that only He can extend (by using us) to a hurting people all over the world.
Interesting enough the central part of the formation found in Numbers chapter 1 was the presence of God. Judah led, the tabernacle was to be in the middle of the formation at all times whether moving or resting, and each tribe was positioned around “the presence”. Without His presence as Moses said, “ I’m not going.”
I believe the season of war is speedily approaching and although modern congregational worship has strayed from the element of waring in worship David is very aware of this concept as he states in Psalm 144:1,
“Blessed be the LORD my Rock, who traineth my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; “
The season of war is crucial. As battles are decided, land is dispersed, and loss or gain is fully realized. Although the season of war is crucial the season of training is much more important. It’s where battle plans are perfected, positions are practiced and formations are procured. Each person finds there place and readies themselves for victory. It’s in the training that one gets prepared.
Amidst the changes in of our lives as believers, let us remember – He is the same yesterday, today and forever! We must live our lives with this in mind, “Everything we do must first be birthed out of time spent with Him no matter the season.”