Passages

It’s about the turning points, the hurdles and pressures incorporated in pivotal passages of time, as our journeys are released from an old season, to embrace the realities and challenges of the new one.

There’s something about these turning points that deserve a closer look. The change requires awareness and preparation. Jesus spent three intense years preparing His disciples for the incredible passage that would follow His resurrection with the subsequent impartation of the Holy Spirit.

Yet, there were those, like the Pharisees who resisted the passage, seeking to undermine it. Those like Judas whose perspective, despite his proximity to Jesus, caused him to totally miss what was transpiring right before him. And those simply who took a little longer in their grasp of it all.

Overriding the status quo with well-meaning intentions can be a challenge in recognizing the peripheries of God’s process ….in the recovery of all things.

We’re at another such juncture. It involves the need to face the passages head-on. To resist and overcome the spiritual static. Passages are wrought with turbulence and uncertainty. Given the right priorities, balance in these spiritual passages can require navigating the age-old narrow corridor between life and death ….as we confront the challenges and reach, to embrace the new horizons that will unveil the opportunity of the season.

Resisting the Opportunity
Despite what might be valid reasons, gaps have always existed in how the generations view the world around them. The conflict in this passage is nothing new. The intensity is. Superficially, what for some can seem a reflection of discord, historically have proven to be the glimmers and then the birthings of significant change.

Jesus’ earthly ministry not only consistently pointed to this big-picture perspective, but was the focus He gave in preparing His disciples and followers with the dynamics needed to embrace these passages and new season.

Getting beyond the superficialities and discord lies in the wisdom and strength needed to process change. Change being driven by the interacting dynamics that geopolitics, culture, technologies and economies have on societies, over time. Recognizing the difference between annoying short term events and the focus needed for long term solutions is the perspective from-on-High that shaped David’s leadership as King ….in gleaning the wisdom from the sons of Issachar, who understood the times, to know what to do.

Again, there is nothing new in this phenomenon. It has been at play in ages past during the many instances of severe conflict and chaos that accompany the passages of seasons, detailed in key times outlined in Scripture.

Seeing Beyond the Shadows
I have been at the forefront of those describing the Middle Ages as the Dark Ages. In many ways they did reflect dark parameters and spiritual misfires impeding the process. Yet in others, God’s plan was still ahead of the power curve, with these times representing a significant passage into unfolding developments.

Morris Bishop, a man considered an expert on the Middle Ages, details these interacting changes in his compelling history of “The Middle Ages.” Despite the dynamics that have given these centuries the dark-ages label, the big-picture dynamics ….cultural, technological and economic ….that took root in the Middle Ages were dramatic.

While the Pharisees were largely blind to such big-picture dynamics, their efforts to maintain the status quo and their resistance to change served to distort the shorter-term, within-a-generation changes.

These shorter-term responses to change encountered in life are highlighted by the role of family have shaped the outlooks of emerging generations. Likewise, mentors are normally, or should be those whose grasp of the big-picture is more prescient than those struggling to adjust to the challenges of the journey. Gail Sheehy, in her initial book on these interim responses to change, “Passages,” notes transcendent wisdom needed for navigating generational changes. Her message has been tagged by the New York Times as being one of the ten most influential books on their list.

Bearing on this premise to understand the times, to know what to do, reflecting enduring, ageless wisdom, Scripture amazingly goes even further than the insights of these authors, in defining the complexities of life and culture.

Preparing for Change
Additionally, it raises the bar in pointing to this age-old source of chaos and conflict, noting the prescient impact that the simplicity that faith, with the potential influence of community and prayer can have on geopolitics, culture, technology and economies..

So it is that preparing for change begins with those we choose to align with, in accomplishing what we reach for, in our purpose-in-life.

It points to those we want alongside us, when the battle becomes fierce. Simultaneously, it points to those whose track records and propensity toward evil require more than prayer, but whose influence needs to be avoided. Paul consistently pointed to and stood against such ones, especially those within the household of faith, who sought to undermine his agendas.

Combat tends to heighten what needs to operate when discerning between the phonies, the glory-hounds ….and those who uphold the standard, who can be counted on. Honor and integrity are at the core of distinguishing those who can be counted on, when it matters.

For the phonies and glory-hounds, in different, subtle ways, the focus tends to be on themselves. The glory-hounds get others unnecessarily hurt, the phonies can’t be relied on. Each fall short on issues of trust outside the intent of their own imbalanced fears and cravings.

Discerning the Game-Changers. So, of the more subtle catalysts underpinning the advancements of history to be found in Scripture are the relationships that might be described as those “forged by God.” These are ones that incorporate both leadership and the prophetic insight that grasps the needed response to significant passages of time..

Game-changer relationships are those like Moses and Joshua; and those of Paul and Barnabas whose alliances triggered the exponential of God’s intent. When God forges relationships, they count. Tangible fruit results when God becomes a part of the intensity and intentionality of those who wield His power, tipping the balance of the power shifts.

Game-changers being recognized also by the higher standard consistently upheld. Even more, when the status quo is being challenged and God is releasing a new thing. This was very much the case with Moses and Joshua, as well as Paul and Barnabas as they navigated and navigated the passages into new seasons.

The Pause of Consecration
Simultaneously, in fully facing times of change and birthing, it may be that the most spiritual thing needed in the passage is to hold steady. Holding steady may mean doing nothing. David’s chief misfire in finding relief in going over to the Philistines almost resulted in the loss of everything, in the time just prior to the passage when he was anointed king. Fortunately, he looked to the Lord, being reminded of God’s intentionality in the recovery of all things.

Solomon suggested the critical importance of gaining the wisdom to do the right thing at the right time. Such wisdom may require a pause, a pause of consecration, not unlike what Joshua called for prior to the amazing unfolding of events that followed Israel’s entrance into the Promised Land.
“For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a person’s trouble is heavy upon them.” Eccl 8:6

One of the more subtle challenges facing believers during such passages of time is becoming so fixed on former strategies that the shifts in focus and direction are missed. It requires a high-level of stewardship, especially for those inclined to be doers. It is the stewardship in not getting stuck or getting the cart before the horse, so to speak.

Peter, whose impetuousness was both his strength and weakness finally got this right as he recognized the essence of what we are stewarding is the unfolding of God’s prophetic grace, an admonition to keep our efforts focused within the sphere of our gifting.
“Just as each one has received a gift, so minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10

Indeed, it is the stewardship of His grace, through the strategic application of the gifts. Paul elaborates on the critical matter of this consecrated approach to our assignments, more so, as we encounter these passages giving birth to matters derived from the Father’s authority alone. Without this focus, we face being snared by the judgment that overshadowed the Pharisees and Judases.
“That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.” 1 Cor 11:30

The Fear of God
The Lord spoke a very unusual word to Moses when He told him that He had made him like God to Pharaoh.

The power of God cannot be wielded without the fear of God. Yet Pharaoh’s contention was unwisely fueled as a contest, representing the mode that the voices of the dark side tend toward, even in this hour. The fear of God triggering for them both the challenge and the delusion, that they might somehow outwit it.

All of which underscores the significant need for consecration. As we face the current stage in the passage we’re now navigating, may the Lord grant us to wisdom and grace to:

• Consistently and wisely discern God operating outside the box of our thinking
• To be alert in discerning the set-times Father has established by His own authority
• To discern God’s heart in bearing the burdens of ones He has connected us with
• May Father confirm HIS many Words to us, manifesting them in and thru us
• May our gifts and anointing be used to enhance the gaps for those assigned us
• May our health and strength be restored to the health and strength of Caleb
• May our thinking and prayers reflect “loving not our lives unto death”
• When Jesus returns may He find faith in our homes, our family lines, our seed!!!

The Heart-cry. A passage in Proverbs 3 captures the depth of the needed heart-cry in navigating this passage between seasons.
“By his divine revelation he broke open the hidden fountains of the deep, bringing secret springs to the surface as the mist of the night dripped down from heaven. Never drift off course from these two goals for in life: to walk in wisdom and to discover discernment. Don’t ever forget how they empower you. For they strengthen you inside and out and inspire you to do what’s right; you will be energized and refreshed by the healing they bring. They give you living hope to guide you, and not one of life’s tests will cause you to stumble. You will sleep like a baby, safe and sound—your rest will be sweet and secure. You will not be subject to terror, for it will not terrify you. Nor will the disrespectful be able to push you aside, because God is your confidence in times of crisis, keeping your heart at rest in every situation.” Prov 3:20-26

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Morris Ruddick has been a forerunner of the Joseph-calling and God’s economy message, being an international voice for the higher dimensions of spiritual game-changers and intercessors since the mid-90s. As founder of Global Initiatives Foundation, the Strategic Intercession Global Network [SIGN] and designer of the God’s Economy Entrepreneurial Equippers Program and the Jewish Business Secrets YouTube series, Mr. Ruddick’s messages equip leaders and economic community builders with strategy where God’s light is dim in diverse regions around the globe.

He is author of “The Joseph-Daniel Calling;” “Gods Economy, Israel and the Nations;” “The Heart of a King;” “Something More;” “Righteous Power in a Corrupt World;” “Leadership by Anointing;” and “Mantle of Fire,” which address the mobilization of business and governmental leaders with destinies to impact their communities. They are available in print and e-versions from www.Amazon.com, www.apple.com/ibooks and www.BarnesandNoble.com.

Global Initiatives Foundation (www.strategic-initiatives.org) is a tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 non-profit whose efforts mobilize economic community builders imparting influence and the blessings of God. Checks on US banks should be made out to Global Initiatives and mailed to 3838 South Wabash Street, Denver CO 80237 or by credit card at https://strategic-initiatives.org/donate/