Move with God
In a recent team meeting at work, the question was posed, what is hindering your progress? What is the reason your individual and our team performance is declining? A resounding, unanimous response was reasons associated with the dramatic and some would consider, disrespectful shift in which Covid-19 caused when we were all forced to STOP life as we knew it.
This may have been true in month one or even two. But, can we with all integrity continue to use COVID 19 as the hindering agent in our lives? Please, do not misinterpret this to mean, that I have been sailing along without a wave or three, quite the contrary. However, I do believe we have used this to excuse our inability to progress in the process.
Adaptation
Recently, my daughter and I have been obsessed with watching National Geographic streaming on the Disney+ app. From the beachy islands of Hawaii, to the wild forests of Yellow Stone, to the fierce artic winters of Russia, one thing I have learned, animals are the best at preparing and adapting when the seasons change. Animals must adapt or die.
The coat of deer in Russian goes from a beautiful rich copper tone in the summer, to a light grey color to allow them to blend in with the snow of the cold arctic to survive, to camouflage them from predators. Bears begin to transition from eating fruits and berries to the filling fatty flesh of salmon in the rivers and streams to build up enough fat to survive their hibernation season (six to seven months depending on their location). That's along time. But they have adapted to their nature. They know that it is necessary if they want to see the next season!
They must prepare for the changing season while also trying to survive and not become prey. This reminds of the scripture, watch and pray. Be vigilant not just prayerful. They are both needed in these uncertain seasons. Be observant to what is going on around you, but do not get distracted by the smoke.
Behold, the fowls of the air, for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Matthew 6:26
If God has given animals the innate ability to transition from season to season, is not the same or even greater provision provided for us!? The only creation He created to be in His image. This...whew, this! WOW!!!
In watching how masterfully most animals transition from season to season, it still comes with loses. Some may lose their young because they are unable to keep up when migration is necessary. Some may freeze when the arctic air sweeps across the land. But they never stop when they are on the move. Much like animals, we do not have the luxury to stand idol as the seasons change. They keep moving. We Must Keep Moving.
Take ye heed, watch and pray, that; for ye know not when the time is. Mark 13:33
Pause or Pivot
God spoke so clearly to me one night I was up with insomnia, “It’s taking my people too long to adjust, to transition.” We lose momentum not moving. It is necessary to hear the voice of God in each season of our lives. We are missing crucial instructions. We are missing directions because God is speaking in one location and we are no where to be found. In this season, it is imperative that we move, or we will either be left behind and/or trampled on.
In Genesis, after Adam sinned, he hid himself from God. When God returned to the Garden to communicate with Adam, he was no where to be found. God called out, Adam, where are thou? Don't let God have to call out for you because you are not where you are suppose to be.
Things will never go back to the way they were, and we should not want them to either. We had become too comfortable and content with our lives, with our routines. We cannot constantly live in the denial phase; it is time to transition into the acceptance phase of this new season so we can press toward the mark. We cannot press toward to the mark and stay the same. One definition of press; is an action of pressing or pushing: pressure.
Press Toward the Mark
Press is an action word. Transition is a movement, development, or evolution from one form, stage, or style to another. This tells me, that it was never intended for us to stop moving. God’s desires for our lives is to walk in all that He purposed when we were created. Nothing stays the same, and it is high time we picked up our beds to walk into what God has waiting. That light, that tugging, that urging you feel; that unsettledness you feel, it is God calling you to come out and conquer!
Can You Hear Him When He Speaks?
There is so much God is revealing in this season and we will surely miss it. If we are expecting Him to speak the same way as in prior season in our lives, we will miss Him. I remember hearing this Intro to Jesus is All, a Fred Hammond song on an album years ago. He said, “God is talking in a today generation voice.” That statement has stuck with me throughout the years. I took this to mean that the voice of God changes. His truth, His Word remains the same, but if you are unable to recognize His voice in this moment, you will miss Him!
If we are expecting for God to set flames to a bush as in the days of Moses, we will be waiting. Not that He cannot. But He does not have to, because through Jesus Christ, He left us with the Holy Spirit to provide direct communication with the Father. With each generation, I believe that the voice of God evolves as His people do.
The still small voice of God can be found in worship, found in the quiet moments where you dedicated time to His word. It can be found in those things we do outside of the ordinary to seek His truth, to seek His presence. Can you say that you are truly seeking God right now? If so, what ways are you seeking God’s voice? Share with your sisters, with your friends, with those around you to help encourage someone else.
Create Space that Allows you to Move with God
Are you adapting and adjusting to be in tuned with the Voice of God in your life? It is my prayer that you are not combating the change of this season but embracing it. Embrace all parts of it; the longer you resist it, the longer it will take for you to evolve in this season. It is unfamiliar, it is scary at times, it feels uncertain. However, nothing is more uncertain than being in a place where you cannot hear the Voice of God in this current season, and in the ever-changing seasons that are to come.
