Don't Make a Season Out of a Session

As I was reading from the Book of Matthew in my Bible this morning, I ran across the scriptures concerning Joseph requesting Jesus' body so that he may place Him in his tomb. Over the years I had become very familiar with this passage of scriptures, as I attended various Easter services. This morning, as I reflected on this passage, I was given a new revelation. I had always simply believed Jesus had the hook up on lots of things, and this was just another example of His status and His ability to live without planning for the future. I then was reminded about how other events in His life occurred, and how they were handled. He payed his taxes, he traveled, he developed disciples and taught them, all of which required a degree of planning and preparation. Then it hit me (I could almost see the light bulb floating over my head in a word bubble), what use did he have for a tomb when he only needed it for 72 hours?

We are taught to plan, prepare, then go back and revisit the plan and adjust our preparations as necessary in order to succeed. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying to burn your last will and testament, but I am saying stop trying to turn something that God meant for only a session in your life, into a season. I have been praying (without ceasing) for growth and increase in certain areas, and have become discouraged when I have failed to see manifestation according to my timeline. (You can stop laughing now, sure it sounds ridiculous as I type it, but I'm human). I'm trying to buy a tomb, when borrowing one would be sufficient. God is trying to move me forward in the direction he will have my life go, and I'm trying to set up camp where I currently reside.

Some relationships, financial status, places of employment and businesses are meant for a session, don't stay in the place of hurt for long when God removes them from your life. God is waiting for us to look to him for directions, and allow him to order our steps. When we fully submit to him, the blessings will follow.

Sit Down, Shut Up, and Hold On!!!!

While this saying is most popularly seen on bumper stickers or license plate borders, being able to sit down, shut up and hold on are very important directions when it comes to fulfilling your purpose and passion. There comes a point where we must be able to sit down and eliminate the extra errands, work schedules and tasks that may take us further from what we are supposed to be doing. Sitting down allows us to take a break from these tasks and talk thing through with God to find out if these are tasks He is guiding us in doing, or are we just running around in circles aimlessly. 

Once we've talked to God, we have to learn when to shut up. If you are monologging, how will He be able to get a word in, and further more how will you be able to hear what He is trying to say to you. Taking time to meditate and simply be silent, allows for you to acknowledge who He is in your life, and how dependent on Him you are. Being quiet is His just respect and honor He deserves.

Being patient enough to hold on and wait for God's specific instructions and divine downloads is where some of us often fall short. He tells us to do something and we start running with it before He finishes speaking to us. Holding on requires us to move when He tells us to, and not before. If you've asked God for something, be patient enough to hold on until He answers. No answer doesn't not equal permission. 

The time frame these steps take, depends on us. If you get stuck in the "Sit Down" stage, you will find yourself a year later still never have moved forward in that thing you are purposed and most passionate to do. If you get stuck in the "Shut Up" stage but never have patience to enter into the "Hold On" stage, you will find yourself needing to repeat all stages again because you will have never received clear instructions on how to go about fulfilling your vision. The more time you spend with God (speaking to him, loving on him), the easier this process becomes. You will have died to the things you want to do, and will open your eyes to His will, and in the end you will discover He wants for you exactly what you have passion to do. So SIT DOWN, SHUT UP AND HOLD ON and get to work!!!

Daydreams and Tullips

Where did the time go? We are already in the second quarter of 2010. Hopefully you have not wasted time in getting completed (or at least started) on that vision you were given last year. If not, it is never too late to get started. It is easy to become distracted, loose focus, or simply become overwhelmed when you begin your journey in moving forward in your purpose. When we put things back in perspective, we then realize some of of the people we admire or inspire to be like, started off with a simple step at a time. The Bible instructs us to write our visions down. This was not just some random instruction. God knew that once he gave us his vision for our lives, we would be increasingly overwhelmed and easily distracted. Once you have the detailed vision written, it's easier to go back and reread what you are supposed to be doing.

I have written down some magnificent ideas for my businesses, and in 2009 lost focus and didn't read what I had written. Once I regained focus, I revisited the notes and realize there were key steps I had neglected to fulfill which caused an extreme slow period in productivity. We cannot ask to God simply handle everything for us while we sit back and put our feet up. As my Pastor, Dr. Gerald T. Hightower often says, "God is not some cosmic genie." We want blessings without obedience, abundance without sacrifice, and joy without sorrow. Most modern microwaves have a popcorn button that allows you to simply push a button and walk away. We have faith in that button that the sensor will pop our popcorn to the correct specifications without under popping or burning. Yet most of us are unwilling to stand by long enough to hear from God for specific direction for our lives, or unwilling to move out of our comfort zone (which I call fear zone) because it requires work. If you are unwilling to work, then you can expect the rest of 2010 to be just like 2009, and 2008. You can not expect change without being the change.

Stop daydreaming and get to work!!!