Hi Faith Travelers,
We’ve reached the end of June; the midpoint month of the year and many of you may have noticed the peculiarity of this particular season. It hasn’t been a business as usual time for many of us. In fact, its been a season where many believers have been wondering, “What is going on ?!”; not just regarding whats going on in the world but also in our lives, on our jobs, in our churches and amongst our families. Some would say it feels like chaos but in all actuality, its a shaking. A shaking in the natural realm and in the supernatural realm.
What is a shaking, you ask? (See Hebrews 12:26-27) It is divine intervention, spiritual awakening and refining process that is set in motion to remove what does not look like God. Its goal is to remove the fallacies, falsehoods and impurities in the Body of Christ so that what remains has been purified and established by Him. Why is the shaking happening? Because God is getting ready to shift some things in ways we haven’t seen or experienced before.
The word Shift is derived from the Hebrew word “Shanah” meaning to transition, alter or change. It biblically implies to the unfolding of a new chapter or an alteration in time. This is used when God alters seasons or circumstances. In other words, this season of shift is God’s appointed time to alter, change and transition You and the circumstances surrounding you for what He is calling you to, for His Purpose and His Glory.
The foundational scripture for this, is Ecclesiates 3:1 NKJV which states, “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven “. The Amplified version states, “There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven.” Verses 2-8, break down what those seasons can look like and what they entail.
Everything Has Its Time
1 To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:2 A time to be born,
Ecclesiates 3:1-8 NKJV
And a time to die;
A time to plant,
And a time to pluck what is planted;
3 A time to kill,
And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
And a time to build up;
4 A time to weep,
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones,
And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace,
And a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to gain,
And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
And a time to throw away;
7 A time to tear,
And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
And a time to speak;
8 A time to love,
And a time to hate;
A time of war,
And a time of peace.
Word of the Lord: “We have entered into not just a new season but a new era in time and in the earth where things are shifting rapidly and intentionally according to God’s plan. In the coming days, months and years you will see more unprecedented shifts and changes in the earth whether it be in the weather, leadership, technology, exposure or in our economic ecosystem across the nations. As things begin to unfold we ourselves will be required to shift in order to be positioned where the Lord would have us be, at the appointed time, to carry out His will on earth as it is in heaven.”
In Daniel 2:21 AMP it states, “It is He who changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and establishes kings. He gives wisdom to the wise And [greater] knowledge to those who have understanding!” In other words, God is in control of our time and seasons and it is up to us (because we have free will) to follow Him in receiving direction and wisdom on our positioning for His will in that time, season and shift.
So, how do we recognize the shift? Here are a few indicators of Seasons of Shift:
- There are tangible changes without warning
- Sudden changes in circumstances, surroundings, jobs, relationships, comfort, etc.
- The season brings restlessness and lack of comfort
- Often includes having to do things you are uncomfortable with but it’s unavoidable, so must persevere through it
- Relational Shifts
- Who you were around in previous seasons changes and sometimes you are in a season with just you and the Lord
- A release is required
- You find yourself having to let go of some things (and people) so that you can pack light in the shift; sometimes not taking anything or anyone with you
- Your desires & priorities shift
- Priorities shift to focusing on the God things and not just your typical routine and desires
- Old resources and provision no longer work for you
- New strategy is required because what once worked won’t work in the shift
- There is sudden opposition that arises
- You begin to recognize sudden conflict and closed doors in current spaces
What do we need to stand firm (1Corinthians 16:13) in the Seasons of Shift:
- Faith
- To operate in a deeper sacrificial trust in the Lord when nothing makes natural sense ( See Hebrews 11:1)
- Humility
- To recognize that everything you are is because of God and apart from Him you can do nothing (See John 15: 5)
- Trust for God’s Provision
- To have greater dependence on God (See Matthew 6:26-33)
- Perseverance
- To understand that some promises require us to persevere in order to produce the character to walk in them (See Romans 5:3-4 & The Stories of David and Joseph)
- Identity in Christ
- To always be rooted in knowing who you are in Christ Jesus no matter the circumstances (See Genesis 1:26, Ephesians 2:10 & 2Corinthians 5:17)
- Radical Obedience
- To show you how to follow God’s instructions even when it doesn’t make sense ( See 1Samuel 15:22 & The Story of Noah)
- Prayer, Intercession & Fasting
- To prepare you and get you to the harvest God has for you (See Galatians 6:9 & Matthew 9:37-38)
- Intimacy with God
- To learn to seek first the kingdom of God (See Matthew 6:33)
No matter the season you are in, remember that God is with you, and He is forever faithful. Ecclesiastes 3:11 NKJV states, “He has made everything beautiful in its time….” As we walk through this Season of Shift, remember that seasons change but God doesn’t…. He’s always at work ensuring everything is working together for our good according to His purpose and plan.
Until the next Faith Teaching…
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