She is a creative thinker, a successful businesswoman, a releaser of hope, and she represents Jesus well in who she is and what she does. (To Subscribe to the Elijah List subscribe here.)
What Season Are You In?
God is calling you into an awareness of the season that you're in. It may be that your season has shifted and that you now need to explore the adjustments that need to be made to thrive in your new season.
God is revealing His heart for marriage in this season. Deeper intimacy, fresh appreciation, and renewed commitments between husbands and wives will be the result. In the middle of our past and present failures, God is speaking about the things He wants us to learn, and how we can grow from the mistakes we've made. He is changing our perspectives from seeing failure as an obstacle to an opportunity.
Laughter will be your medicine as you cast off your heaviness and embrace the joy of the Lord. In the areas that you have been crying out for answers, you are being invited to diligently pursue and hold fast to the truth. Truth is key right now, and meditation on the truth will help you to conquer anything that would stand in your way.
"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under Heaven..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
It may be that the season has shifted in your life, but you find yourself working hard to maintain the ways of the old season. Our past seasons are known and familiar and we've learned how to navigate them. We have learned what works and what doesn't, and usually when the season changes, all of that goes out the window. God is calling us to be more aware of the season that we're in. The season may have changed corporately or personally, and it's important to pay attention when you feel the shift. (Photo via Unsplash)
Imagine a person who's outside in the cold, shivering, having just left their warm house. Their body is trying to maintain equilibrium and is shivering to generate warmth. A toddler who is potty trained no longer needs their diapers. An elderly person who is no longer able to swallow pills shouldn't be forced to take them. For all of these people, their inner world or outer world has changed, and they must adapt to this new season of their life. They are not served by pretending they are still in their past season.
If you're unsure of the season that you're in, ask God to show you. He will show where you are, what tools you have available to you, and what adjustments need to be made.
Marriage Redefined
"...We are being transfigured into His very image as we move from one brighter level of glory to another..." (2 Corinthians 3:18)
God is downloading to us His heart for marriage. Whether you're married or not, God is speaking clear truth about what marriage is, wiping the slate clean of former wrong or incomplete beliefs. He's highlighting and showing us what He created marriage to be. Out of this revelation will come a new and fresh appreciation for what marriage truly is. Couples will settle into their relationship in a way they haven't been able to before, intimacy will blossom, and a fresh, deepened commitment will be the result.
People who had previously been on the fence about their marriage, seriously considering walking away, will experience a whole-hearted acceptance of their marriage. People who have had longtime hang-ups with their spouse will be able to let those things go and accept them for who they are.
It is essential in relationships to position our hearts to understand and appreciate the differences we have with our partners rather than pick each other apart. What would our relationships look like if we all looked exactly the same? It is the contrast between us that makes the world dynamic and keeps our relationships lively and interesting. (Photo via Unsplash)
When we are able to accept one another for who we are, we will be able to access a new level of safety and intimacy within our marriages. Taking the time to learn about yourself can bring understanding, and ultimately new levels of honesty and vulnerability into your relationships.
Try taking a personality test and sharing the results with one another, taking time to learn about your spouse and the ways in which you are well-suited for one another.
God is revealing His heart for marriage. He's bringing understanding of how different and wonderful He made all of us to be, and reminding us that we get to see a more dynamic picture of Him when we appreciate the differences of those around us. There is grace to be honest with yourself right now, but vulnerability is key.
Obstacle or Opportunity
"Victory comes from the Lord—may He bless His people." (Psalm 3:8)
Failure is a mindset, and we can allow it to defeat us. What if instead of being derailed by failure, we took the time to look at what God taught us through that experience and to learn and grow from it instead? We could then build on the momentum of what He showed us and become the best version of ourselves.
What if Moses considered himself no longer worthy after he killed the Egyptian, or because of his stuttering problem? What if he hadn't kept going? He never would've led the Israelites out of Egypt! Scripture reminds us of this: "...If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31).
Picture a rainbow with a pot of gold at the end of it. Then consider this...(continue reading)
I want to recommend Anne Ballard to you. She attended Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry from 2010-2013, with her last year serving wonderfully on my team as an intern.
