NAVIGATING IN THE WILDERNESS: "YOU'RE BEING CALLED"
Our lesson for the month of APRIL is "NAVIGATING IN THE WILDERNESS" Each week we will discuss different concepts to assist you in making a smooth transition toward EMBRACING the WILDERNESS. Today I want to pose the question, “How do you know when you’re being CALLED into the WILDERNESS?
We progressively live through so many different types of seasons. In some seasons we’re thriving, in some we’re just coasting, in some we’re hurting, and then there are those seasons when we feel slightly off but we can’t put our finger on the reason why we feel this way! It’s like we wake up and certain things just aren’t doing it for us anymore. Well my friends I want you to know that a lot of the times when you start to have these symptoms you’re being primed for a TRANSITION SEASON! Here are some key indicators that you’re being CALLED into the WILDERNESS:
You feel uncomfortable and unsettled!
You just start to wonder if there’s more to life and you start to desire more!
You begin to lose grace for the space and place that you’re in!
You may start to experience flashes of big dreams or big ideas that’ll challenge you and even scare you. Some of them may be old dreams you gave up on!
You may start to notice small things that annoy you! You may even identify an issue or recurring topic that just STICKS OUT TO YOU!
You have this feeling that you’re being called higher but you don’t have any specific details!
You know you feel something but you don’t know what to do with all of these feelings!
When you start to experience these feelings, please don’t suppress them! Having these feelings or desires doesn’t mean that you’re not grateful for what you have, it just means that it’s time to EXPAND your territory. Philippians 2:13 (NLT) says, “For GOD is working in you, giving you the desire and power to do what pleases him.” These moments are just small indicators that GOD is CALLING YOU into the WILDERNESS! These promptings may seem vague and random, but it’s structured like this because it’s meant to encourage you to SEEK GOD for GUIDANCE AND WISDOM. This is a moment for you to ask GOD for answers and clarity, anything you don’t know, ask GOD and have faith in only him. James 1:5-6 (NLT) says, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous GOD, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in GOD alone.” GOD is so INTENTIONAL, he CREATED US, and he knows what we’re capable of. We may not see ourselves the way GOD sees us so we tend to deny and run from the CALLING, but GOD knows how to get our ATTENTION! He’ll gently nudge you, he’ll prompt you, and even send others to confirm what he’s been speaking to you in your quiet time. In these moments you have to make a decision to be curious and willingly explore these feelings with GOD, or continue to deny the feelings! Just know that GOD’S WILL will be done one way or the other so it’s so much better if you willingly submit to the process.
Luke 12:47-48 (NLT) says, “And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. But someone who does not know and then does something wrong, will only be punished lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone is entrusted with much, even more will be required.”
This scripture really paints a clear picture of all of us! I truly believe that we RUN from the idea of more and the thought of GROWTH because we know that it requires REAL WORK, RESPONSIBILITY, and ACCOUNTABILITY! Staying in the dark or simply being ignorant of the calling isn’t your SAVING GRACE. It just prolongs the WAITING SEASON and forces you to live a life that’s not in alignment with GOD’S WILL for your life. Saying YES to his will definitely requires a level of DISCIPLINE and SACRIFICE. It requires you to deny yourself and do things the KINGDOM WAY! It can be scary to step into a new season or even attempt to accomplish something that’s NEVER BEEN DONE, but please know that anything GOD calls you to, he WILL PREPARE YOU FOR! Anything you lack HE WILL PROVIDE! He will PROTECT you as you make the transition but you must submit to HIS WILL and WALK WITH HIM through it all!
John 5:19-21 (NLT) says, “So JESUS explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing. In fact, the Father will show him how to do even greater works than healing this man. Then you will truly be astonished. For just as the Father gives life to those he raises from the dead, so the Son gives life to anyone he wants.”
This scripture is a great depiction of what GOD does as he walks with us through the wilderness. JESUS CHRIST walked with his FATHER, he followed his directions, and he was continuously exposed to greater and greater works. The whole point of being a follower of JESUS CHRIST is to FOLLOW THE WAYS OF JESUS CHRIST! GOD wants to lead and guide us just like he did for JESUS during his time on earth. As you walk with him in the WILDERNESS, He DEVELOPS YOU, GRANTS PROVISION and GIVES INSTRUCTIONS! CHANGE is the one thing that is CONSTANT, so those promptings were put in place to get your attention. GOD is telling you it’s time to get RIGHT, to GROW, to EXPAND, to move to a new location, but this process requires your YES! The purpose of these moments is to encourage you to exercise your FAITH and be OPEN to letting GOD EQUIP AND STRETCH YOU! My favorite artist Bruno Mars once said, “DON’T FIGHT THE FEELING, INVITE THE FEELING” so the next time it feels DARK or you experience any of these indicators, take that as a sign that you’re being CALLED INTO THE WILDERNESS! Embrace the CALL and willingly walk with GOD! Let him CHANGE YOUR HEART and MOLD YOU! He’s simply being a good father! He’s literally preparing you for the PROMISE!
SERMON RESOURCE: "SURVIVING PHAROH" BY: JONATHAN EVANS
INSPIRATIONAL SONG: "FATHER CAN YOU HEAR ME" BY: NASHVILLE SINGERS