The first time I went on an airplane, I was 17 years old travelling back from Jersey during a nine-month work placement there. I had no idea what to expect but as we climbed above the cloud line, I was transported back to the Enid Blyton tales I'd loved as a child where fairy folk walked on the clouds! It really looked like you could step out and sit on the cotton wool clouds and peer over the edge at the world below.
When you're up high you can see so much further than you can on the ground and you have a completely different perspective on things. This is true for those that are called to show the height of God's love. They are able to "see" some of what's coming. Some through visions, dreams, revelations, and others just have a sense that can't really be explained. Some will be particularly aware of what is happening in the spirit realm knowing what the spiritual battle of the time is.
Daniel interpreted dreams and visions as well as having quite a spectacular vision himself (Daniel 7:1-28) Isaiah seemed to live from one vision to the next. John brought us the book of revelation. Noah and John (the Baptist) were called to prepare for something that others mocked them for. In 2 Corinthians 12:2 Paul writes "I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows."
Prophetic words in the Old Testament either called the people back to the covenant or pointed to the coming of Jesus, the One who would make our relationship with the Father possible. They pointed to the One who would become the sacrifice for our sins so we can stand forgiven and righteous, boldly in God's presence. This isn't so they could boast about how spiritual they were. After all they could only see in part what the Father allowed them to see. This is still the purpose of prophetic words today. Passing on an invitation into a deeper relationship with God, unlocking and releasing people to see themselves through God's eyes, receiving more of His love with the purpose of the overflow of this love touching others and expanding the kingdom.
Because of His love for us He wants to guide us along good paths, to steer the church in the right direction, to see the Kingdom grow, not only in numbers, but also to grow in individuals too. This forewarning is a precious gift for the church. While these people have insight and even strategy to navigate through forthcoming unseen barriers, getting others to believe or understand what has been seen is a bit of a challenge! And no wonder to be fair. Hearing someone say "Last night I was taken up to the third heaven and talked to Jesus, who changed from a lamb to a lion then to a man who's eyes glowed like fire" probably isn't your usual morning coffee conversation. Such stories can make us feel spiritually inferior, freaked out and confused.
Today I'd like to share a little about my story because I think it's difficult to write objectively about something that you have personal experience with. You see, I'm one of these strange folks. I've never had a vision (although I have friends who do) but I know stuff! I've been asked how I know I know, which is a great question. The answer? I have a relationship with the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I have history with them, conversations made, tears wept, accusations thrown, reassurance given. As Jesus said in John 10:1-18 I know His voice. In the early years of stepping out in faith, and learning to trust that it was God's voice and not my own imagination (which quite frankly I have very little of!) I copied the strategy of Gideon (Judges 6:36-40) and asked for constant reassurances. "If this is you God, send me confirmation by 3pm tomorrow" type of thing. This went on for a few months until I clearly heard God speak to my Spirit and say "I know you know my voice. No more fleeces." It was a bit of a jolt, but as every parent knows, there are times when we have to cut the strings for our children to grow. This doesn't mean I've stopped asking for reassurance when I'm not sure, but it brought me to a place where I knew God trusted me to hear, so I had to do the same.
I remember the first time I read through Ezekiel. My spirit stirred and I realised that if I was serious about allowing Jesus to be Lord over my life, I was going to have to lay down my dignity. (If you've never read the book of Ezekiel, God asked him to live in a prophetic way, cooking his food over cow dung was one of the things he did.) It wasn't something that filled me with joy but I accepted the terms - begrudgingly at times though, I'm not going to lie! After all I really don't want the "weird" label. God gave me messages to share with people and I was terrified. What would people think of me? What if they don't like what I say? Why? Some of these people where strangers, others were people that I respected and wanted to keep their respect. I don't think I did it well at all, but with my heart pounding and legs like jelly, I was obedient, mostly! It's still not something I enjoy doing. I'd much rather give words when people have asked to receive them! For this reason I often only share with others when the Holy Spirit presses me to do so. And when I share I hope I don't see fear or rejection in their eyes. I don't always expect people to understand what I share, it may not even make sense to me, but I hope they'll write it down, look at it, weigh it, see if the Spirit is on something in particular. To ask questions about it. Ask me questions, which will hopefully lead to more revelation.
Very early on in my Christian walk someone said to me the phrase "Watch you don't become so heavenly minded you're no earthly use" My instant reaction was that surely that would be better than the other way around "So earthly minded you're no heavenly use." but hearing this made me question whether there was a place for people like me within the church. This was heartbreaking. On some level I'd fit in better with the New Age scene which is where many unredeemed "highs" find their home. This, among other things lead to a time where I felt isolated and ill-equipped, failing to understand why God showed me what He did when I had no one to share it with. I was desperate to be amongst people who "got me," so I could learn, grow and receive the affirmation I was longing for. I asked God to either take the gift away so I could fit in in church, or to let me fly alongside others. Instead, He showed me a picture. I saw a kite flying high, with someone tugging on the string, helping it to stay up, reaching higher heights, being pulled back up as it started to fall. It was beautiful to watch. I heard God say that I was the kite and the things that I saw as obstacles were designed to help me reach higher. A kite that isn't being held isn't free, it's lost.
While this picture had a great impact on me at the time, it's only now, years later that I'm truly understanding it's full meaning. Character is far more important to God than comfort. He knows who He created us to be and the loving pruning that needs to be done to get us there. I had to grow without affirmation so it didn't become my master. Learn to hear the leading of the Holy Spirit in dark days so that I'm not swayed by what's happening around me. I've learnt how to submit when I want to rebel and how to speak up when I want to run and hide. God flies this kite as the Spirit blows.
Church, we need to start building conversations and relationships so the kites aren't flying solo. We need those who are willing to let the Holy Spirit teach them the skills of kite handlers, who know when to release and when to pull in, who help land the precious information God is training part of His body to see. We don't have to start with great long strings. Let us build trust together and build a history until we feel safe enough to let out the string a bit further. Learn how to keep that healthy tension between releasing and submitting.
1 Peter 2:4-5 Living Stones for God’s House
You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honour.
And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests.Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.
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