Transition Always Leads to Change

Transition is the stage of labor right before you begin pushing the baby towards delivery.
This is the last part of active labor – when your cervix dilates from 8 to a full 10 centimeters – it is called the transition period because it marks the shift to the second stage of labor.
This is the most intense part of labor. Contractions are usually very strong, coming every two and a half to three minutes or so and lasting a minute or more, and you may start shaking and shivering.
By the time your cervix is fully dilated and transition is over, your baby has usually descended somewhat into your pelvis.
Those of us who've experienced this passage of time know the difficulty of that process.  Transition is hard!  The only positive thing about it is that you know you are close to the end.  Pushing that baby out is not far away, but transition must come first.

What does all of this have to do with anything???

Transition is not only labor term, but it also describes what we go through in life right before God shows us His new plans for your life.    Webster's Dictionary defines transition as: The process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another.   Wow!  That is an awesome definition!

When we go through a period of transition in our spiritual life, it seems as though everything gets harder and more difficult to understand.  It seems like the darkest hour before the dawn.   I always feel like I'm getting squeezed through a hole that is an impossibility, humanly speaking, for me to get through.   During transition you can't see the big picture, you can't understand the process.  You just know that it hurts.  You are shaking and quivering because you don't have all the answers yet and time is closing in.  This is when most people cry out, "Where are you God?"

Back to transition in labor....The best labor I ever had was with my last child, Destiny.   It wasn't til her labor did I understand what to do during this process.  That's right, I did it wrong 4 times before getting it right.   I changed everything I did for labor number 5.  I learned to have lazor like focus.  I learned to keep the pain where it was going to work the most.  I learned to listen to my birthing coach.  I obeyed her commands and I went to "work" delievering my baby.   During births one through four, I did just the opposite.  I let the pain overcome my whole body.  I focused on the pain and not the process.  I yelled and screamed.   I told the nurses that I was going to die!!   I allowed the transition period to beat me physically, emotionally and mentally.  

Transition in labor is not much different from transition in life.   When we are in the process of changing from one state or condition to another, it is difficult.  Change is difficult.  It's how we handle the change that makes all the difference.   I believe that God's plans for us are good, not to harm us but to prosper us, benefit us.   Just like birthing a baby.  Transition is necessary.  If you do it right, it is purposeful and beneficial.   If you only look at the temporary pain and focus on that, then you lose sight of the bigger blessing that you are just about to hold in your arms.

Scott and I have been going through transition for two weeks.   We felt it coming on.  We knew things were about to shift.  It's as though there's a little calm before the storm, then it hits.  Change begins to take place.   Circumstances begin shift.  You feel like Elijah at the brook where he was being fed by ravens and then all of sudden the brook dries up.  When the brook dries up you need to seek God about what's going on and what you're suppose to do.  You don't seem to hear anything at first, but we've learned from our past mistakes of  letting change overtake us, worry us and  make us sick.  So we seek God purposefully, we worship, we call upon our interceding friends to pray and we listen for God's way to open up before us.  It takes time.  It's a labor so to speak.   You need to be patient during this process.   This is where the scripture verse....Let patience have it's perfect work, and another verse that says" let patience possess your souls" means more than it has ever meant.  Wow!  Patience is really important.    Letting patience have it's perfect work, means settling your mind, quieting yourself and all the voices around you and zeroing in on what God is saying.   Waiting on the Lord is the same thing.  It's an active thing.  The state of  being patient and waiting are verbs, action words.  Practicing patience actually takes work and effort.  Waiting on the Lord means actively listening to His direction.    
But Praise God when that direction comes, when the waiting is over...it is clear, it is purposeful and you have the resolve to go the distance.   I'll talk more about the birthing process itself in the next blog.   Be of good cheer!  The birthing process does come to an end and then there is joy!!!
   

Am I a barrel guy or a bride? What???

Yesterday, I came across a copy of a leadership honor code that I had to sign to take part on a church ministry team.  You needed to refrain from these behaviors if you were to be on the team. I'm including the list, but pay close attention to number 9.

1. profanity

2. smoking and chewing tobacco

3. gambling

4. indulging in much wine or other alcoholic beverages

5. dishonest gain

6. illegal drugs

7. pornography

8. sexual immorality

9. all behaviors which might cause Christ to grieve and others to stumble.



Actually, this list could be longer. What about gossiping, manipulation, intimidation, controlling others, hatred, envy, outbursts of anger, rage, greediness, lying and cheating?  But, number 9 is key.  It is meant to include all those behaviors and narrows done the reason why.


I started thinking about Christians in general, sin, what’s right, what’s wrong and how do we live a Christ-like life without coming off having a holier than thou attitude.   


Well… there is a right and there is a wrong. There are behaviors, that as Christians, we are not supposed to engage in. As a matter of fact the scriptures state that these behaviors shouldn't even be named among us.   But how do we live this type of life and not act pious?   One statement you frequently hear from non-Christians is that Christians are a bunch of hypocrites. Though this statement has some validity, it is not true of all Christians.   So…what’s the difference between an authentic Christian and a hypocrite?


Matthew 5:16 says, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." 


As I was pondering all these things, a picture popped up in my head. I saw a cartoon like figure of a man carrying a huge barrel in front of him. The barrel had righteous deeds written on it. He was touting it around proudly, declaring what he had done and what he refrains from doing. His facial expression was one of pride.  I knew immediately that this man represented the face of religion.  Religion basks in what it has accomplished and puts it out front for all to see. The next scene was that of a beautiful angel-like woman who was wearing a glistening gown that flowed out to the ground in a long sparkling train. This woman's face reflected the love of Christ. The focus was not on herself and her deeds weren't before her, but they were behind her. They were an extension of her relationship with Christ. The words righteous deeds weren't even written on her garments, you just knew what they were.


This picture helped me understand where the struggle all began for Christians with what's right and what's wrong. The word Christian means Christ follower. When you are spending time with your Savior, His love envelops you, His Word convicts you, and His compassion moves you. You can't help but give to others what you have been given. And like Number 9 stated above you don't want to grieve Him because you are so grateful for what He has given you.  You also would not want to cause another to stumble because Christ’s compassion lives in you.


It’s never been about checking off a list of do and don’ts and then priding ourselves on our accomplishments.  It’s always been about a loving relationship with Christ and out of that relationship naturally flows behaviors that are pleasing to Him.    


Am I against leadership honor codes?  No.  I’ve had people sign similar codes that worked on my ministry team.   That’s not the point.   The point is… what is my attitude about these behaviors?   Am I a big barrel guy who outwardly follows the rules and condemns those who don’t or am I the bride of Christ reflecting his beauty and goodness beckoning those to follow?

Garage Sale Evangelism?

You know that God can use you anywhere...right?  Even garage sales???  Yes, God can use you even at garage sales.   I don't know how this phenomenon started, but somewhere along the way, Scott started sharing the gospel with people at garage sales.  He's a pretty friendly guy anyway, so he always strikes up a conversation with the homeowners.  Eventually, he ends up sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with them.     We haven't really kept track of how many people have give their hearts to the Lord at a garage sale, but it's been quite a few.   Even if they don't make a commitment right then and there, Scott has definitely given them something to think about.  Paul stated in 1 Cor. 3:6  "I planted, Apollos watered, God gave the increase."   When sharing the gospel, you are either planting a seed, watering a seed or reaping a harvest.   Don't be discouraged if you share the gospel and that person does not respond.  I heard the gospel at least 5 times before I really understood and connected with what God was speaking to my heart.   When I was 23 years old, my husband (then new friend) shared Revelations 3:20 with me, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."   For some reason, this scripture verse captured my heart.  I had suddenly realized that I was keeping Jesus outside the door of my life and only opening the door occasionally to peek out and say hello.  I knew that opening the door of my life to Christ meant that he would get to see the mess inside my house.  I had not been willing to take that chance before, because I also knew that once He entered, I'd have to change the way I kept house.  After Scott shared that verse, I waited three days to make this life altering decision.  I knew that dealing with God was serious business and I needed to be sure that I wasn't entangling my feelings for Scott with my new found revelation about God.   At the end of three days, it was clear to me that I had done a pretty messy job with my life so far and that inviting Jesus in would only make it better.  The decision was made July 27, 1986.  I have not been the same since.  Jesus did come into "my house" and I did have to do some "cleaning out", but He did not embarrass me, make me feel ashamed or punish me.  He embraced me with His forgiveness, love and gentleness.  He came into the world not to condemn the world, but came so that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:17)


With all that said, Scott continued preaching the gospel.  He has probably shared the good news hundreds of times over the past 27 years.  Today, while going to garage sales, he talked to 18 people about Christ.  Some already knew Jesus, some had heard but had questions, some had never heard of the gospel before.   So...today he sowed and watered, another may reap.  Who knows...even Scott may reap.  He was invited to go back to one family's house next weekend.  Besides the obvious heavenly rewards, I was rewarded with a nice large food processor that Scott got for me for two bucks! 


Thank you Lord for all your goodness!  Read Psalm 103, Psalm 91 and Psalm 23 to get a glimpse of His goodness in His Word.   

What is your destiny? What is your purpose?

One nagging question is nipping at the heals of many people....what is my destiny?  People want to know what their purpose is here on earth.  Believers and non-believers alike are burdened by this question.  There is a good reason for feeling burdened when you don't know what your call or purpose is in your life.  Proverbs 29:18 states:  "Where there is no vision, the people perish:"    Another translation says..."the people languish."   When you do not know what your purpose is in life, your thinking becomes invaded with thoughts of hopelessness.  When you know what you're created to do, your life is full of joy and expectation.

One of the main ministry functions that Scott and I walk in is that of helping people find their divine destiny, their divine purpose, their divine calling.   This past week we spent time with individuals who were "stuck" so to speak, not knowing what God had for them or what they were suppose to be doing.   One of the wonderful functions of the prophetic message is to set people in their place and I don't mean that in a bad way.   The prophetic voice helps set people in their God ordained vision.   That vision is built inside of you.  God has already given you talents and gifts, but you may not know what they are or maybe you haven't even begun to understand how to use them.  The Christian life is one of seeking and discovering.   The prophetic word helps guide you on your way.   Does that mean that you can't hear from God for yourself and that you always need a prophetic word to help you?  No.  You should hear God for yourself, but God has also given the gift of prophesy in the church to help encourage, edify and exhort the Body of Christ.  But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 1 Cor. 14:3.   Prophesy is a divine revelation of God's next step for you or it can be an understanding of what is going on in your life, so that you can  move forward.   The Lord is always about moving forward.   I always was and will always be in awe of what the Lord does with a simple prophetic word.
I'll give an example.  A few years ago I was attending an evening church service with Scott.  After worship and before announcements, there was a window of time to talk to people in the service.  I was already sensing a very strong presence of the Holy Spirit.  When I turned around, I noticed a women standing in the back of the room.  I went towards her.  As I walked towards her I sensed the Holy Spirit saying take her hand.  I asked her if I could pray for her and reached to take her hand.  I heard the words, "It's not your fault."   I spoke those words to her.   She immediately fell to her knees and sobbed.   I had no idea what God meant by those words, but obviously she did.   I found out later that her husband was unfaithful to her and she was blaming herself for his unfaithfulness.  The words..."It's not your fault" meant a great deal to her. She was set free from blaming herself for her husband's sin.  Only God knew what was going on in her heart and mind.  I did not.  It also comforted her knowing the Lord is not distant and that He knows her and cares for her personally.
This is only one example of the many times the Lord has given us a word or picture that has set people free.  I'll give another example of what a prophetic "picture" looks like.   Scott and I were praying one time and a picture popped up in my mind.  I saw a friend of ours taking a kitchen towel off her shoulder and throwing it in the sink.  I sensed that she was frustrated.  Scott said, "Let's call her and tell her what you saw."   We phoned her and told her about the picture.   She was amazed.  She said that just a few minutes ago she was praying and was really frustrated with ministry and told the Lord that she was throwing in the towel.  She couldn't take it anymore.   She was obviously affected by the fact that the Lord heard what she said and understood her frustration.   We spent time talking to her about her frustrations and encouraged her to continue on with the work that she was called to do. She was refreshed and continued in her women's ministry.   Over the years, I've met and have known women who are called to leadership positions.  The Lord shows me their gifts and talents.  At the time that I meet them, they are almost always dumbfounded by what I say.  They'll say, "I don't feel qualified. I don't like to be in the spot light. I'm the behind the scenes kind of women."  But within a short period of time, the Lord confirms what I shared with them and they begin to walk in leadership positions in their church or community.
We stand in awe of the Lord.   All we do is hear or see and then we obey.  The Holy Spirit is our guide.  Our goal is do all ministry out of the love and compassion of Christ.
Are you stuck somewhere, not knowing what God wants you to do or where you're suppose to be?  Seek Him first, be open to His Word and if you need a prophetic word email us.  equipngo@yahoo.com