Change of Season
A new year is upon us and the excitement of something different becomes the theme for a new beginning and we embrace a mindset of I can change the way I did life last year. Change requires more than a resolution that is made in January. Change requires a shift in how we see the thing we are looking to change. This shift in thinking must be intentional and requires a deliberate action. So the question becomes how do we shift, pivot or turn to reach a different outcome from our previous mindset or habitual way of doing what it is that we seek to do differently?
Proverbs 10:5 Know the importance of the season you are in!
Know: have developed relationship with (someone) through meeting or spending time with them; be familiar or friendly with .
So now that we understand what “ know”means let’s track together 😜
By this definition of know (Webster Dictionary) I must have relationship with, spend time with or be familiar with. As I look at this I come to the conclusion that the this thing in my life I desire to change is the thing I have created relationship with. So this means I spend time with and I have become friendly with ! These habits,behaviors and thoughts we find ourselves giving place to only continue to bring a feeling of failure and shame, or you and I wouldn’t be trying to change it ( just saying) and as these feelings rise up we partner with them and excuse away our ability to pull them down and change what it is that has this propensity (intense natural inclination or preference) to keep doing what we have always done ! Listen, life can be difficult at times we all get that, life is not rainbows and unicorns, it can sometimes be a daily grind and we get ourselves into a rut. Another day dawns and we just walk into it blindly repeating what we did yesterday and the day before and so on and so on. This is the very reason we must Know the importance of this season we are in.
Our ability to have lasting change begins with setting our course with purpose, with a desire and willingness to be humble (obedient) to the Holy Sprit and we are required to let Him put his finger on the very thing we seek to change. So as we learned from the Webster definition of KNOW we must spend time with Holy Sprit; developing relationship with Him. Understanding that it is only through true intimacy we can surrender ourselves to this everlasting change we so desire.
I know what it means to lack, and I know what it means to experience overwhelming abundance. For I’m trained in the secret of overcoming all things, whether in fullness or in hunger. And I find that the strength of Christ’s explosive power infuses me to conquer every difficulty.
Philippians 4:12 TPT
Paul made it very clear that his strength to overcome the adversity of life comes through the Power of intimacy with Christ Jesus. To think that you in your own strength or will power can conquer the day to day pressure of change is only a clouded thought process that in the end will prove to be reckless. If we think that on our own we have conquered the thing we seek to change, we put ourselves on an island. We become self sufficient nomads alone and even weaker than when we started this journey. We end up replacing counterfeit with counterfeit! The stinking thinking is replaced with more stinking thinking 😳😳 . Jesus did life with 12 and he entrusted them with the secrets of the Kingdom. He became very intimate with them sharing His personal and deep faithfulness to the Father. He was committed to them and taught them what true change requires.
“I am a true sprouting vine, and the farmer who tends the vine is my Father. He cares for the branches connected to me by lifting and propping up the fruitless branches and pruning every fruitful branch to yield a greater harvest. The words I have spoken over you have already cleansed you. So you must remain in life-union with me, for I remain in life-union with you. For as a branch severed from the vine will not bear fruit, so your life will be fruitless unless you live your life intimately joined to mine.
John 15:1-4 TPT
This verse is the starting point for change. Jesus was giving us the keys to true Kingdom Realities. If He, Jesus, is the true sprouting vine then our approach to change starts by knowing Him. We all know of Him and that is far different than knowing Him. “He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel”, Psalm 103:7 (NIV). Don’t just know what Jesus has done, know what He is doing now! Present tense, know everting there is to know about Him! What He is saying to you, about you and what He has for you. Develop a deep meaningful relationship with Jesus, it requires only one thing, your heart. When we truly give ourselves in submission the change will be everlasting filled with joy and you will rest and abide in the loving kindness of our King. Your life will be enriched by all that Jesus has for you, you will dance upon your disappointments and wholeness will be your reward . Let’s not be to hard on ourselves as we embark on this journey to change how we do life in this new year, give yourself a break when you miss the mark, look up and reach out there is always a out stretched hand to help you get to your feet!
True enrichment comes from the blessing of the Lord, with rest and contentment in knowing that it all comes from him.
Proverbs 10:22 TPT
Blessings John