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Dreaming or preparing?

By j jones

 When we moved into our home, it was a few years before we were ready to create our "dream kitchen" but that didn't stop me from thinking about it. I looked on Pinterest for style ideas; got paint swatches from B&Q; looked in brochures at cupboards, taps and fittings. In my mind, I'd got it all sorted. When we were ready to start, I realised I wasn't nearly as prepared as I thought! So, knowing that we needed help, we had someone come measure up and make designs for us. She asked questions about things we hadn't thought about and suggested solutions to problems we didn't even know we had. Once we had the costings there were ideas we ditched  (those taps are not THAT special!) and others things that we thought would be out of our reach that where no where near as expensive as we'd imagined.

The last two years have felt like a John the Baptist season of repentance, realignment and preparation. It has been a time for the church, (the collective name for the body of Christ, not the building) to take stock and make "straight its roads" ready for what is to come in the next era. A transition from dreaming, to actively asking the Holy Spirit to show what changes need to be made so we are ready to be used by Him for His purpose. And there is an urgency. I can almost hear the Holy Spirit counting "97...98...99..." before the call of "Coming, ready or not!" 

What high things, idols, have we built, individually and collectively that still stand in the way? Pride, prejudice, status, productivity, nationalism, what people might think, rationale, competitiveness?  What limitations (low places) are we living under which prevents a boldness for the Kingdom?  False humility, low self-esteem, insecurity, fear, disappointment, unbelief, lack of trust in Father God? What is it going to cost to straighten both the high and low places and are we willing to pay? Are we willing to lay down our own dignity, control, comfort, logic, time, plans, agendas, to be more like Jesus? Willing to stand and be seen, to shine? Will we allow the Holy Spirit to bring healing to places of pain and brokenness?

The story that is weighing heavily on me at the moment is that of the man  in Luke 18:18 :- A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” ...You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honour your father and mother.’” “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said. When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. 

When faced with the cost, this man decided it was more than he was willing to pay. He'd set his limits. He didn't trust that what Jesus had for him was better and more valuable, and so he turned away, "very sad" and continued with his life. I wonder how many times he thought of that conversation. We are on a crossroads point in time and the Lord is asking us to choose. Choose life!

I hear the Spirit of the Lord say,

"Church, you are still not ready. Have you not heard my call to repent, (to turn and face me) to prepare yourself.  You have become complacent in my Grace and have forgotten to fear me. My fire is coming. I would rather you receive the purification with joy and gladness, heart yielded and eyes fixed on me. 

 My waters are rising. The waters that revive, refresh and bring life. Relinquish the desire you have for "being in control" so that I can hold you as a father holds his child, teaching you to float. Practice now while you're still in the shallows, so that your heart will not become overwhelmed and fearful of the new depths I am taking you to. 

My oil has no limit and is ready to be poured out without measure.  Prepare yourself. Make obedience to me your prime concern; my kingdom your first thought. Then you will be ready to house my Glory and carry the anointing I have for you."

John 4:34 Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work."

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