Friends,
Seasons Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Last night I was thinking about Christmas (the birth of Jesus) and the desire we have in our hearts to better understand the fullness of this blessed event, and, in my spirit, I heard the Lord say, "Have a very Mary Christmas" this year. I thought, that's interesting, Lord, why very, and why Mary instead of Merry, and I began to contemplate the meaning of that twist to an otherwise traditional, seasonal blessing.
As I considered the roll of Mary in the life of Jesus, a descriptive and four P's came to mind that apply to each of us. I'll sum them up this way as a blessing to each of you: This year, may you be overwhelmed (the very part) by the honor of your Purpose in carrying the Promise, so that you might be tirelessly faithful to Persevere in your Position before the Father.
For the sake of time, I won't address each of the P's, but the Holy Spirit specified that they are all capitalized to remind us that these areas must be well tended in the Spirit (through prayerful listening and obedient timing) before our activity in the natural can deliver the full intent of God's plan for our participation in advancing His kingdom.
Further, I'm reminded that our measure of success in each of these areas will be in direct proportion to our level of submission to, and utter dependence upon the grace (power) of God moving through us by the Holy Spirit. Much of our doing must cease, and we must learn to address and more consistently embrace the becoming (maturing process). We must come to that level of soul submission (mind, will and emotions) where we truly do act in agreement with what God is doing (and how He does it) and speak what He is saying (and how He says it) - the how is ever as important as the what. In short, while we are crucified with Christ, we must also be consciously raised with Him. Then our doing will naturally carry the full impact of God's intent, and we'll reap the full blessing of living a life worthy of the Lord (Col 1:9-14).
So as we roll up our sleeves to attend the practical aspects of it all (life and each divine appointment), we pray these reminders serve an encouragement - so you might Prevail in Christ even as you Participate in managing His Provision. (OK, that's seven P's, but it all has to lead to rest at some point, so I thought it appropriate - and God agreed!) =:>)
Then, this morning, as Erin and I were discussing the "Mary" part of this Christmas blessing, I heard the Lord clearly say, "...and a Happy Knew Year". Immediately my heart smiled. Yes, Lord, make it so! May this be a year of promises fulfilled (and seen in the natural), so we might look back over the past season(s) and each area of obedience that required sacrificial faith in order to press on or let go and say, "Yes, Lord. I knew it. I knew You are not a man that You should lie. I knew You would fulfill each word spoken, that You would bring to pass in Your perfect way the full intent of Your purpose - even in this day and even in my life! Yes, Lord. I knew it! Oh, fool that I may appear, or even at times have been, passionate for Your heart and ways I will remain!"
Finally, I was also reminded regarding these promises fulfilled, that much of what we will see accomplished in the coming season, while it certainly has to do with God's timing for advancing the kingdom, also has a great deal to do with our having learned how to See - how to view through the Spirit (from His vantage point) each promise, each appointment, each practical application in the natural. All of His activity happens in the spiritual realm before culminating in the natural to bring about a shift or complete change. So learning to see in the Spirit helps us better understand, endure and even rejoice in the sometimes lengthy process of His timing for the natural.
It's much like getting a new pair of glasses or flipping on a bright light in a dark room - it takes a while for your eyes to adjust. And it requires time and consistent application of the new for your eyes to become fully functional in the new environment. I'm seeing (no pun intended) that this is where each of us are at spiritually during every new season the Lord takes us through, regardless of where we're at in our Spiritual journey).
As I think about this past season (several years) and the many incomplete God things I still tend to wonder about (yes, and even complain about at times), the Holy Spirit is reminding me that I'm the one who has been in process throughout this time, not God. I'm the one learning to keep in step, not Him. I'm the one learning about faithfulness, perseverance, how to resist the enemy, how to overcome, how to love, give and even receive. I'm the disciple, not Him. Ultimately, I'm the one learning to trust Him to the point of resting IN Him so that all the above doesn't seem overwhelmingly impossible. And that's good news certainly worth Proclaiming! But then... you already knew that, didn't you.
So, dear friends, faithful warriors - in lieu of eight P's (for a new beginning), may you have a very Mary Christmas and a Happy Knew Year!
Shalom,
The Barry's
Brett, Erin, Lauren, Brooks and Pierz