The Purpose in the Process
There is always purpose in the process. The sooner we embrace the process the faster we grow in progress.
I was reading, "And David Perceived He Was King," by Dale Mast. Just a quick note - you're likely not looking for a book on identity, but you might consider it - and this might be a great one! I am gleaning a ton from it.
He referenced this passage of scripture. The implications of this passage are really astounding to me! God has promised the Israelites that he would deliver them into the promised land after centuries of bondage in Egypt and 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. And yet, look at the process he will use to deliver them into their promise ...
Exodus 23:29-30
“I will not drive them out before you in a single year; otherwise, the land would become desolate and wild animals would multiply against you. Little by little I will drive them out ahead of you until you become fruitful and possess the land.”
Do you find this interesting? I would think when you're promise comes, it should come! Boom! Just like that - it's there for you to enjoy, celebrate, and thrive. But God's way of delivering the Israelites, and by extension, us, is a little different. And if we slow down to give this a little more thought, we can see this healthy transformation process all around us. God gives the mother about 9 months from conception to prepare physically, mentally, and emotionally for the birth of a child.
The entrepreneur with his next great idea must formulate a business plan with painstaking specificity before the idea is ready for investors, partners, stakeholders, and ultimately the marketplace. Consider the CEO that has been hired to come in and turn around the failing company. She is going to come into that entity and guide through a purposeful, and sometimes, painful process in order to regain that traction that was lost.
Points to Ponder
We must be ready to occupy those areas in our lives and work where God drives out the enemy
If we do not move in and occupy that new space with Spirit-birthed shifted thinking and activity, that area becomes unfruitful (the land would become desolate)
If we are not ready to fully occupy that new territory, actually the enemy can multiply his efforts (wild animals will multiply against you).
Walking in His promise is an incremental process. He delivers us to new levels of promise as we are capable of stewarding that new level well.
Fruitfulness provides for greater possession.
Fruitfulness in our current state dictates the pace of advancement!
Application
Today, identify an area in your life where God is stretching you to the next level. Thank him for that opportunity to embrace the process. Then, be intentional to notice where God is stretching others to the next levels.
You might notice your spouse growing in an area or an employee who is developing. Encourage them that you see progress!
Be open to receiving a prophetic word for them to declare what God intends for them! Each time you do, transfer a coin to the other pocket.
Prayer
Father, today I thank you for the inheritance you have given me. My life, family, and work are all given to me by you. You have called me to steward them well and to take them to the next levels in cooperation with you.
Forgive me for those times that I have grown frustrated with the lack of advancement, only to realize that you were calling for better stewardship of my current assignment. I embrace the renewing of my mind, will, and habit that you are offering so that I'm prepared to move to the next levels of influence.
I am not ignorant of the devil's schemes to grow weary or lose focus in the incremental process. I will walk in fruitful possession of the spheres of influence you have assigned me. In the name of Jesus, I declare these things confidently today. Amen