Michele, Judah and I have just returned from one of the best weeks of ministry we have participated in over the past couple of years. We spoke at the Pulaski Church of God near Roanoke, VA and then traveled with Austen Owens (our summer intern from Regent University) to the Prepare 2016 Conference in Washington, NC. This was a great conference where the Lord poured out a fresh anointing on me as the band and I led the Morning Glory worship session. Words cannot express how joyous and refreshing this session was for me as a fresh anointing fell upon us, launching us into this NEW season that God is opening to us. We then traveled to Virginia Beach to meet with many of our monthly partners and ministry leaders. We had around 50 leaders that joined us as the Founders Inn where we shared how God has helped us to survive this wilderness season, but also to share what we believe God is saying as we look ahead to 2017. And finally, we wrapped the week at Kingdom Life Ministries in Chesapeake, VA leading worship for their revival. What a blessing to lead worship with Jason & Kelli Bare, and Jason & Shelly Ratliff, and especially our son Judah, who joined us on the frontline vocals. Michele and I are so proud of our son and our spiritual sons and daughters. We are truly blessed!
As I have shared with you in previous letters, we encountered a wilderness experience that began in June of 2014. It has been a road that I wish we all could avoid, yet one I believe we all will face at some point in our walk with Christ. Therefore, I believe that the Lord has called me to be as transparent as possible to share this experience with as many as He leads me to, and to impart seven (7) major keys that helped us to survive this dreaded season. I believe that our sharing this will be one of the keys for our entering into this NEW season of ministry.
II Corinthians 3:18 says, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” -KJV
As I read this, I feel as though Paul is speaking directly to the worshiper…the one who stands in worship looking into the glory of the Lord. As we continue our gaze, God transforms us from Glory TO Glory. From the Best He has created us to be, TO the Best He is calling us to be. It is this “TO” that I believe marks a wilderness encounter. It is the place found between two seasons, and because it exists we must recognize what it is and how to survive it to get to our NEW season.
This month, I would like to give you seven (7) themes that may help you define or recognize the wilderness. These will be markers or indicators for you as to where you may be as you read this, or they may help you recognize they “WHY” for where you are right now. Over the next couple of months, I will unpack these 7 keys that helped me survive, and I believe will help you during this season.
I’M LOST! The first theme often portrays the wilderness as a place of threat, chaos and alienation. It is barren, and nothing is familiar. There are no markers or indicators or road map to help you know where you are. All you know is that you have no idea how you got to this place, but even worse….you do not know where to go from here or how to get out!
I FEEL WITHDRAWN FROM EVERYONE In the developing Christian tradition, the Wilderness is a place or state of withdrawal from the world to face the reality of God, oneself and one’s neighbor, and to overcome the power of evil. We recognize this as the place where Jesus withdrew to and was tempted of the devil. We must be careful with this one though to ensure that God has led us to this place of confrontation with God, and not us simply withdrawing as a result of depression or anxiety.
TRANSITION & CHANGE The wilderness is a place of Transition and Change. The children of Israel experienced this during their time in the wilderness. They were being transformed from slaves to a free people in the Promised Land. Of course, Jesus began his ministry after his time in the wilderness overcoming Satan, the evil one. It is the place where one season ends and the next begins.
REVELATION The wilderness is a place of Revelation. This is perhaps the most prominent theme. This is the place where God reveals himself in the burning bush, and through a pillar of fire and a cloud. Of course Mt. Sinai is the central place in the wilderness revelation. This is the place where EVERYONE saw, felt and heard the power of God on the mountain.
TESTING & JUDGEMENT Israel faced judgment after pivotal revelation and rebellion at Mt. Sinai. The church has always known that the desert is a place of temptation. We must remember that the enemy will try to isolate you and I to get us to fall prey to temptations. This can be a very dangerous place as you believe that you have lost everything, so you have nothing else to lose and therefore surrender to the lies and temptations that the enemy places before you. God’s desire is that we overcome the temptation and walk in the power of HIS might, even when we feel we have no more fight within us at that moment in time.
VICTORIES ARE WON In the wilderness, we will face conflicts, but great victories are gained. Just as the Children of Israel encountered hostile enemies in the wilderness, these battles were only successful when they were obedient to the instruction of the Lord’s command. And that is how you and I will win our great victories….when we are obedient to the instruction of the Lord.
A PLACE CREATED BY GOD Perhaps the hardest lesson is to realize that the wilderness was created by God, not by Satan. All things that were created were created by HIM. Therefore, since it was created by God for a purpose, it is important for us to know how to survive our time in the wilderness.
In the next few months, I will unpack seven keys that God revealed to me during my wilderness encounter. It is my prayer that God will use what He has shown me to help you where you are in your journey.
I have discovered in my sharing that numerous ministry leaders hit a wall similar to mine in 2014 and encountered this wilderness experience. Oftentimes, simply knowing that others are going through what you are can provide a healing realizing that you are not alone.
Today, I encourage you keep your eyes continually fixed upon God. Take one day at a time, and do not allow this wilderness to overcome you and fall by the wayside. You are on your way From Glory “TO” Glory. God’s best season for you is waiting on you, just ahead. Keep pressing on and answer HIS Call upon your life.
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