Time, Destiny, and Dreams

Habakkuk 2:3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

Woah, have I been drinking in a lot of revelation of late. My pastor has been speaking on mastering transitions. What I've learned is that change is necessary and it is painful because it is the birthing of something new. Giving birth to something is never a pleasant experience, and we are so happy when it is over.

The pastor outlined the stages of transition by following the story of Joseph. Joseph had a vision of where he would ultimately fulfill his destiny, but he had to go through: the revelation, the process, and then the promotion.

He reminded us that we often abort our dreams during the process. We are so unwilling to suffer anything. The seasons of life begin with change just like the natural seasons. But, when things start to change we can either fight or rest in God. Sometimes fighting the process makes it longer. And sometimes we pray to be taken out of it and we are, but then the character needed for that promotion is not perfected in us.

Sometimes we choose our own way, this results in premature promotion, Ishmaels (dreams that resemble the promise of God but bring sorrow). Without the right character we ruin lives. He reminded us that Joseph probably would not have chosen to be thrown in a pit, sold into slavery, accused of rape, and locked up in prision in order to be promoted. When we choose the way that looks good to us, we end up like Lot (in need of rescue). The patience to endure hardship, the ability to let go of people and things, and the faith to believe that God will fulfill His promise in time ensure us victory.

Also not knowing where we are in our seasons causes such frustration, so we are to ask God what He's perfecting in us at the moment.