If you've been having some deep dealings with God recently, you are not alone! Right now it is a season of unusual encounters with God for many of us. If you can relate to this – or it stirs hunger in you – be encouraged by your Father today to fully receive all He has intended for you.
The Spirit's Call to Attention
This past week, a quote from Smith Wigglesworth has kept returning to me:
"Before God could bring me to this place He has broken me a thousand times. I have wept, I have groaned, I have travailed many a night until God broke me. It seems to me that until God has mowed you down you never can have this long-suffering for others. We can never have the gifts of healing and the working of miracles in operation only as we stand in the divine power that God gives us and we stand believing God, and having done all we still stand believing." – Smith Wigglesworth
When I first came across this quote, the phrase "mowed you down" clanged in my mind. It sounded strange, awkward and archaic. On one hand, "mowed down" is an expression of violence. On the other, it is reminiscent of a lawn mower! But this is not about a lawn-mower, or even a combine harvester – it is about Almighty God coming to His people in an encounter. I believe that in this short phrase, right now, the Holy Spirit is saying, "Pay attention!"
Unusual Encounters
We're in a season of unusual encounters with God, especially in relation to His destiny call on our lives. It's a time when the Holy Spirit is bringing shifts and adjustments. Jesus is offering us a new way of seeing, living and being more closely aligned to His heart.
For Smith Wigglesworth, the context of being "mowed down" by God had to do with his ministry of healing and miracles. What that "mowing down" will look like for us is unique to each person. It will be different according to the gifts and callings we each have.
Why God Comes to Refine Us
Why does God come at times to crush, sift and refine us? His supreme purpose is that of divine passion – holy love. He longs for nothing to come between us. "Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, 'The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously?'" (James 4:5, NKJV).
He also comes to rescue us from our pride and cut away our self-dependence so that we rely on Him alone.
What God has for you to do can only be accomplished in the power of His Holy Spirit. God is preparing you so that you, in turn, can mow down the works of darkness, and see a great harvest for God's Kingdom.
From Shame to Glory
Being "mowed down" by God may include a call to repentance. But it is not about us being left aware of ourselves and our shortcomings. Instead, it is about us being left in awe of Him, and His almighty presence.
Being mowed down by God is not about shame but all about GLORY. It's a move of the Spirit that doesn't leave us in death; it lifts us into resurrection life. Being "mowed down" frees us to walk humbly but boldly with our God.
Your Invitation to Join the Dance
Paul – then Saul – was mowed down by God when Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus. That work was completed a few days later when he was baptized in water and the Holy Spirit, and rose a new man (Acts 9:1-19).
This is not a place or time to get stuck but a time to follow the convicting power of the Holy Spirit all the way through to your Father's desired outcome. Know this: The deep dealings of God in your life are good news! This is God's heavenly invitation to join the dance and reap the harvest with Him.
"Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on you." (Hosea 10:12, NKJV)
Helen Calder
Enliven Ministries
Email: helen@enlivenpublishing.com
Website: www.enlivenministries.net
Helen Calder is a prophetic minister and writer, and founder of Enliven Ministries, a part of the David McCracken Ministries family. Helen has a unique gift of equipping in the areas of hearing God's voice, prophetic ministry and prayer. She is known for Enliven Blog, an online prophetic training and mentoring resource that reaches thousands of people globally. Helen and Malcolm have been married for 36 years.
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