This season will be a season of change. I had a dream about the Winds of Change that will help to explain this.
Winds of Change Dream
I saw the grain fields of the mid-west during a windy day. The song playing in the background of this dream was "The Spirit is Moving, All Over the World."
I was in the sky looking down over miles of grain fields that rippled as the wind blew across them. It was a very peaceful picture. The grain danced in all different directions as the wind touched it. I asked God what He was trying to show me, and He had me look closer.
As I did, I saw that the fields were not full of grain but were full of millions of people being moved by the wind of the Holy Spirit. I noticed that they were firmly planted so that the wind did not uproot them.
As I observed, I could see that the wind of the Spirit would make waves in several different areas at a time, then it would shift and touch others. Sometimes it was forceful, and sometimes it was gentle. Sometimes it would create a ripple effect, or it would swirl around in one place wildly. John 3:8 came to mind:
"The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone that is born of the Spirit."
Again I asked what this vision means, and I heard, "Those that follow the Spirit will go with the wind of the Spirit. These people are being changed and exercised by the winds of change."
I noticed that some needed only a gentle breeze to move them in the right direction, but some required an intense blast. For some, the winds would swirl around them until they turned around and changed directions. Sometimes there would be a ripple effect as the people would bend to the wind of the Spirit. When they bend, they touch those close to them, and they bend also.
As I looked even closer at the fields of people, I could see that most would have their backs to the wind allowing it to move them, but some were facing the wind and struggling against it. They would try to go in the direction they wanted to go, but the wind was so strong that they were not able to move at all. I noticed that their clothes were tattered and torn by fighting the force of the wind. Then suddenly, a small whirlwind would come and swirl around them until they changed direction.
I asked God to explain what all of this means? I was impressed that if we go with the move of the Holy Spirit, there is peace and harmony (in our lives and in the Church), and there is a touching of other people around us. But if we try to do it our way, we will struggle, become weary, and maybe even battered and torn, and will go nowhere.
What moves you? Are you moved by the Holy Spirit or struggling to keep control for yourself? Is the whirlwind of change swirling around you? Is God trying to change the direction of something in your life? Or perhaps He is trying to get you to simply trust Him and put your back to the wind and let Him direct you in faith? I encourage you to bend to the winds of change.
We are going to see many changes in the near future. But a lot of people don't like change. However, we need to learn to embrace change.
In my own life, I have had a multitude of changes. At first glance, one would think I was unstable. It doesn't look too good on a resume, either. But God helped me to understand that He was teaching me to embrace change and learn to love change. Change teaches us not to fear the unknown, allowing us the freedom to step out in faith more easily. Change teaches us to interact with all kinds of people in all types of places and situations. Change teaches through diverse life experiences and expands our understanding by forcing us to learn new things. Change is a good thing!
As human beings, we like to get comfortable in a routine so that we know what to expect. We work hard to get ourselves to a place where we are satisfied. The danger is that when we get our lives set up the way we want, we can become complacent. To be complacent is to be "Uncritically satisfied with oneself or one's actions; not looking to improve." (Web Word Dictionary and Thesaurus)
Complacency is not God's way. We should be changing continually to the likeness of Christ. We should be asking God for changes in ourselves. If we are not changing, then we are not growing. Change is necessary for us to fulfill our ultimate destiny. Just as there are changes in times and seasons in the natural and spiritual world, change is also needed in our personal lives. We are admonished:
"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:" - Ephesians 4:14-15 KJV
Notice that the definition of complacency has to do with "self." Complacency is another "self" thing that needs to go. We are warned about complacency in the Bible.
"You say, 'I am rich. I have everything I want. I don't need a thing!' And you don't realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from me--gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference." - Revelation 3:17-19 NLT
How essential it is for us to embrace and love change so that we can be transformed into the image of Christ. Asking God to search our hearts is the first step to change. The second is repentance for the things that need change. The third is obeying the Lord in changing the things He shows us to change.
Roberts Lairdon, in his book "Spiritual Timing – Discerning Seasons of Change in the Realm of the Spirit" writes extensively on change.
"It is time to hear from heaven. It is the season to declare the works of God in the nations. It is the time for the Church to regain their sensitivity to repentance."
A spirit of repentance is going to be released as we seek God's face for this next season. As we ask God to show us the things in us that need to change, we will need to repent of those things that are not pleasing to Him. But if we are not aware of what God is doing, we could miss our opportunity to co-labor with Him.
"If you are living in the past while hearing the message for today, the message will not make any sense to you. You will think it is false or confusing, and you will probably want to come against it – just as the Pharisees did in Jesus day. "- Roberts Lairdon
In Ecclesiastes 3:1, we learn that there is a time and a season for every purpose under heaven. We always want to be going where God is going. If we ask, He will open our eyes, ears, and hearts to what He is doing in this season. It is essential to know what God is doing in the "NOW" so that we can receive the blessings He has for us as we obey Him.
"When Daniel found himself in captivity in Babylon, he knew it was God's season for pruning rebellion and idolatry off His people through exile and life in a strange land. Yielding to the judgment as God told them to do would have allowed them to use the time of captivity for genuine repentance and changing of their ways. They could have been blessed in Babylon, and many were". (See Jeremiah 29:4-14.) – Roberts Lairdon
We have been in a season of exile, so to speak, with the pandemic. Use this time wisely.
"He who keeps his command will experience nothing harmful; And a wise man's heart discerns both time and judgment," - Ecclesiastes 8:5 NKJV
God's desire is for us to change into the likeness of Christ and to grow up into the fullness of the knowledge of Him.
"An immature Christian will cherish something beyond its time. A mature Christian will be joyful over change because it is according to God's will. A mature Christian knows God never brings us down—no matter how it looks on the outside. He always brings those who love and serve Him up to a better place". – Roberts Lairdon
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