God laid this song on my heart in the early hours of yesterday morning: “ Christ alone the Cornerstone”, then the parable of the wise and the foolish man and lastly the verse from Ephesians 3:17.
In the picture there was an earthquake, people running around panic-stricken, the ground was shaking, trembling, cracks on the earth appearing suddenly (like you see in the movies).
First, that earthquake started off as a small tremor, the second one growing in intensity, the third one increasing and this last one massive. There was more shaking of foundations to come.
People who don’t know Christ ( pre believers!), hopeless, nowhere to run or hide, everything sinking ground. Then I saw believers standing on this ginormous solid Rock that was immovable. They were safe,
Holding out their hands to those screaming, panicking, hopeless and desperate Some were reaching up relieved and grateful for the safety and assurance that they would be saved from injury or death.
Others continued to panic, looking at this way or that way, desperate to save themselves, not trusting those standing on the Rock or not trusting the Rock itself to stay firm and secure. They were worried that it would crumble and fall. ( Psalm 46:2 was verse I was given here)
“ Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains are moved into the heart of the sea”
In the picture, those who did not grab those hands perished.
For me personally it has been a season of having my foundations shaken, of shifting and of rumbling.
It has been a time of change and transition, of being in the fire, of being crushed so that there is a new wineskin and new wine! It has been a season of coming out of my comfort zone, of stepping out of the box and of fear of man! Health issues, financial challenges, a ministry that requires boldness and confidence in ways I’ve not experienced before. My sister and husband emigrating to the States, with the majority of our family living overseas. Vincent having to lay people off at work, the South African economy, xenophobia, riots, high unemployment rate, crime escalating. Add to that the challenges faced by my daughter, her husband who is starting a business, my grandkids and their challenges as well as my son overseas , our nephew from Zimbabwe, a student living with us and the responsibility that goes with that, trying to help family left in Zimbabwe, a precious brother in law fighting cancer, and add to that our church with all of its current uncertainty. Just so much uncertainty and issues to juggle with!
Sensed God saying that there are so many of us facing similar if not worse trials, tribulations, and challenges.
Do we let panic, turmoil, confusion, doubt and unbelief reign like those people in that earthquake? Do we ponder, meditate, look at what’s happening all around us or to us?
Do we rely on our circumstances, our emotions and the facts? Do we get anxious surveying Social media, looking at the pictures and videos posted, watching the news, reading articles that make us think
and feel that there is no hope for us, that there are now answers to the problems we face?
Or do we choose to recall, remember like those heroes of faith in the bible who looked back at what God had done for the, how he had come through for them in times of trouble, the miracles HE HAD PERFORMED, too many to recount? Do we gaze at THE GREAT I AM, the one who does the IMPOSSIBLE, who sees us through each and every season we find ourselves in?
Psalm 77:19
“ Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen”
Will we sit with Christ above who is seated above in the heavenly places( Ephesians 2:6) seeing things from his perspective?
Will we sit with Him on solid ground, on a rock that cannot be moved, that cannot be shifted or shaken?
Or will we still choose to put our trust in our jobs, our bank accounts, in a country, in its economic and political situation? Will we put our trust in a man, in our relationships, our health?
Or will we look up and see THE ONE WHO IS STILL VERY MUCH SOVEREIGN, IN CONTROL, THE GREAT I AM, THE ONE WHO IS WHO WAS AND WHO WILL ALWAYS BE!
Sense God is saying we as the church need to be the solution to the problems we are facing in this nation and in other nations. How do we differ from those who don’t believe?
What makes us stand out? Do we offer hope and light to those who are perishing or are we so focused on our own issues that we are often distracted and have no time or energy to reach out to those who are desperately searching in all the wrong places? I sense God saying
“Church it’s time for your light to arise and shine!
Do not sleep.
Do not slumber!
Awake Awake!!
There are many perishing, the harvest is great, the workers are few!
Come, come and be counted as amongst those who will share the good news, who will reap the harvest and receive a great reward.
Do not fear! Do not procrastinate!
I will give you what to say I will give you the words.
Be strong and courageous for I am sending you out amongst the wolves but I am the one who keeps who safe.
I am The Rock the unshakeable one, the one who loves you with an everlasting love. You are mine.”
Isiah 43: 2
“ When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze” It’s time for this nation to seek the Lord whilst He may be found.
The time is now!
