What do you do when you feel the shift but can't move? I have asked myself this time and time again because I have been in a position where I knew that it was time to move with the shift.
Often times the problem is people expect there to be friction during the shift and because there is no contention they do not believe that what they are actually experiencing is a press to move. It is sad that sometimes we have to be forced to grow. Growth does not come easy to many but growth most times comes with pressure for a lot of people because of fear of disappointment and fear of criticism.
Have you ever heard of a student who excels in everything but because the crowd and their friends do not excel they are willing to dumb themselves down to fit where they no longer belong? The lengths that people will go for public acceptance. To go against the grain is uncommon. It is unpopular. It is unexpected. But in life, sometimes you have to leave everything behind in order for you to move forward.
I'm reminded of the story of Lot and his family. They were in a city that had become defiled and in order to keep peace the people in the city were willing to compromise what they knew was right, to avoid contention, with what they knew was wrong. The angel of the Lord spoke very clearly to Lot when He said “The Lord heard how evil the city was and He's going to destroy it. Get your family and go.” As Lot was leaving the “place of familiar” with his wife in hand, they were informed not to look back. As they were journeying out of a city that had been given their penalty and their just reward—his wife looked back at what was familiar to her...because she had grown to accept nothing more then what she had. She had grown to accept a place that would not bring her any growth but instead destroy her. But because she was comfortable and content she was willing to stay and die. Sometimes our feet move, our bodies move but God knows where our heart and our eyes are focused. The distraction was not only in her heart but the distraction was also in her eyes. Any time you take your focus off of what is meant to propel you into the shift of the next move you are placing yourself in the position to fail.
It is either sink or swim in this season. There are going to be many that have to move with the shift. There’s going to be opposition, contention and strife for so many because we have been comfortable with where we are. God does not reward the comfortable. God rewards those who press towards the mark. I can remain in a heated room, in a heated apartment, in a studio, or in a living room and be comfortable, because sometimes it is hard to either believe or except that I have to become uncomfortable and put my shoes and coat on and weather the storm and the cold for something greater that I am unsure of. Yet God promised. But we don't wanna weather the storm we'd rather stay in the place of comfortability and stability. God wants to give us greater in the shift. He wants to give us more in the shift. We have to become uncomfortable with “the pit” in order to get to “the palace”.
I have to admit that lately, I have become very uncomfortable. I have become very uneasy. I have become very unsettled, because I know that God wants to shift me. But where I am is comfortable. Where I am is convenient. Where I am I'm still needed but not wanted! Jesus...Where I am I'm still producing but not respected. Where I am I'm still grinding but not going. I am at a spiritual cap...because of fear of the shift.
The reality is I don't believe that I'm alone. I don't believe it's just me. Something in my spirit tells me that a lot of us are in the place called "Decision". We need to not just pray for the success of our going—but we must pray for our mobility and momentum. How long will you be in “The valley of indecision?”
The children of Israel was delivered out of Egypt only to experience years of wander. God shifted them, and then gave them the responsibility to walk into a new land. A promised land filled with milk and honey. But they had the audacity to say I'd rather go back to the manna then to deal with what I have to deal with to get my promise. Isn't that just like some of us? We'd rather settle for the struggle then to deal with what it will take to enter into the promise!! I don't know about you but I'm tired of accepting the struggle. I'm tired of accepting mediocrity. I'm tired of accepting where I am. The treatment, the disappointment, the ostracizing, the isolation, and unacceptance because it's familiar.
God is speaking in this hour very clearly. It was never intended for us to be complacent and comfortable. Jesus ministry was progressive. Don't let the religious view of loyalty hinder your purpose. Be faithful unto death but don't ignore the shift.
"I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength..."
God recognizes that you are weak and tired. So He sits before you an open door. Choose to walk through it.
Your destiny, your ministry, your purpose is depending on your ability to hear and respond to the Shift.
Revelation 3:8 KJV