Welcome to ‘the other side of summer’.

 

I must admit that those words get stuck in my throat sometimes. Perhaps that is why, as many of you know, I put up my Christmas tree so early so that the lights will sparkle their way right into my heart, removing some of the dreariness that can come with the short days and cloudy skies. The lights remind me that I have so much to be thankful for. 

 

We each have our own way of making sure our heart is ‘set right’ for the seasons we are in.  And you and I get to decide what works for us. Perhaps you love silence and solitude, or maybe loud worship music. Whatever you use to help you settle well and be at peace with God, do that.

 

The world we live in has entered a time of darkness, of great uncertainty, and we need to remind ourselves that we carry the Light within us. We carry revelation for the moment as we understand the heart of God in each and every moment. In this season, more than ever, it isn’t about prophets telling us all about politics and world events – that kind of thing has brought great division – but it is about knowing the Heart of our Father and being able to release that to those who need to experience God in ways that they have yet to discover.

 

So, these lights remind me to make sure I have enough ‘oil in my lamp’ and that I am inwardly prepared - as much as I am able - for the unknowns of this unique autumn. Prophets, our words are not to be shallow decorations that brighten dark corners momentarily. We are to be prophets of hope and encouragement, prophets that know how to live like Jesus did and dare to follow His example in humility, living in repentance daily in order that His Kingdom is seen and welcomed by those who are hungry for something different. The circus, that has been the prophetic movement for the last years, is over and we are learning a new and better way.

 

I am excited to see how Holy Spirit will keep us provocative while removing the sensationalism from our lives and so called ‘platforms’. The day is coming when we stop talking about fulfilling our own personal destiny and to talk again about the Gospel, which is the mission of God (misseo dei).

 

I am relearning something I was taught as a child: what it is to share and serve in ways that may not make me feel comfortable, but they fulfil the law of love (Galatians 5:14). I am excited for the death of competition. The death of empire building and the demise of all ‘top-dog’ thinking and behaviour in the prophetic world. Get ready. That world is over. God has called ‘time’ on it.  He did that quite a while ago but some of us have been reluctant to let go – reluctant to let go of position and title, and even the applause that it brings us.

 

And so, He is pressing us. 

 

He wants the best of the wine from each of His prophets because something is different now. If you are not sensing it, perhaps it is because you are expecting the anointing and revelation to come as it has in the past. It will not. We will always have prophets (because Christ gave them as a gift to the church) but we will not have prophetic empires.

 

The revelation will flow from places and people where we least expect it. It will come from people who are not ‘trendy’ and those who have been hidden away. Just thinking about it brings joy to my heart. I am looking forward to more wine being poured out for us from wherever the Lord decides. He is King.

 

We are going to begin to see God rewarding those who have held on in obscurity and faithfulness. He has marked them as they laid down their lives for the cause of the Kingdom. They did not seek fame or fortune or consider themselves special in any way other than they knew they were fearfully and wonderfully made and that their posture delighted the heart of the Father.

 

They allowed themselves to be judged and misunderstood and did not lift a fist or fight their own battles. They became satisfied and content in whatever state God held them because He was all that they wanted. And He did hold them.

 

These will be the bridge builders as we move forward. They will be the way makers because they have looked for and understood the old ways, and now, from that place, they will hold open the ancient gates for the King of Glory to come in and be enthroned once again amongst the prophets. These obscure ones have never really been forgotten or despised but have held ground in a place of honour before their King, and He has held them and will release them now – for such a time as this.

 

Join me in walking away from despair over all that has happened and lets together give thanks for Jesus and whatever He is up to.

 

God Bless

Rebecca