Over the years I've obtained the discipline of being still in the presence of YHVH-God, knowing His voice and understanding what He requires.
Although Yeshua had visited me since I was a child, my adolescent years of rebellion that ran into my mid-twenties allowed my flesh to harden. So upon returning to the Lord after a ten-year wilderness trip, the first thing that had to be killed was my flesh.
I went through an intense two-year stripping, where my flesh had to be disciplined so that my spirit could come into daily prayer and feeding on the Word. Then after being told to sell everything, and move to Charlotte, NC where I knew no one, I was then placed in an additional three-year spiritual boot camp (as I like to call it), where now my faith and obedience was stretched, refined, and then refined again, before I was finally allowed to walk out in my calling as a prophet.
I'm sharing all of this to say that after years of operating an established ministry, I felt as though I had the "hearing God's voice" thing down pat. I had mastered keeping the fruit of peace in my home, I had my prayer closet, my own schedule of prayer time, or the freedom of whenever the Lord chose to speak, being able to be still and listen.
However, a few years ago, my household went through a major shift, and I found myself being thrown into a chaotic state. It seemed as though I could no longer reach the peace that I once had before. Now, my extra time was focused on household chores, bills, marriage, teenagers, and then to top it all off, I still had to run a ministry.
I was upset. I found myself looking to place blame on one particular event, or person. I had become spoiled. Well, perhaps "spoiled" isn't the right word. But I was use to being able to bathe in the presence of my Bridegroom whenever I wanted. Now that seemed to be a distant memory.
So I petitioned the Lord for an answer. Deep within my soul I was worried about somehow falling off the straight path because I simply had too much on my plate. Suddenly, the Apostle Paul's words became charming when he said, "I'd rather that you be like me.." in referencing to staying single so that one's focus can be only on the Lord.
But the answer I got from the Lord, I was not expecting...
He said, "You've learned how to be still before me; you've learned how to quiet your spirit so that you can hear my voice. You've done well. But now I am teaching you how to hear me in the chaos, so that you don't loose focus in the storm that is coming."
I was stunned. I remember pondering on this for many days. But I knew I was being challenged on a new level, spiritually, and I was determined to come out victorious.
Part of maturing spiritually is going through continuous seasons of refinement. We must remember that no one has "arrived" until we are in heaven sitting at the marriage supper of the Lamb. Until then, we will be faced with daily challenge of killing our flesh, and allowing the Lord to cultivate our souls as He molds us into what He has called us to be.
2018 has been a challenging year for many. The Lord gave me a word in January that this would be a year of mourning (the loss of life), refinement and separation. And just in my personal life alone, and within our ministry, this has held true. But within it all, I've not lost my ability to hear the Lord, or to find peace, even in the midst of the storm.
2019 will bring more challenges, trails, persecution, and unforeseen events that will cause some to loose faith, and even perish. But we as the Body of Christ must make sure we are rooted (deep-rooted) in our relationship with Christ and not loose hope. We must remember, these things are written, therefore they must come to pass.
I've watched many fall away this year. The most frightening part is that many are unaware that they've fallen. Great deception is everywhere, as Yeshua warned it would be in the last days. But we have to remember that we are not citizens of this life, therefore we cannot allow ourselves to get caught up in the things that we see before us, or even what what don't see. We must buy our gold, linen, and oil from on high. That way we won't be shamed in nakedness, our eyes will be anointed to see (that which He has called us to see), and our treasures are placed where the moth, nor the rust can consume it.
In this season remember do not follow the crowd; follow YHVH-God. Discipline your flesh so that you can learn to hear Him as the still, small voice (as the prophet Elijah had to learn), but also be rooted enough to hear Him in the chaos, and not panic as the disciples did when the storm came upon their boat. They didn't realize that because Yeshua was in the boat with them, everything was going to be alright.
And He said unto me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I would rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. - 2 Corinthians 12:9
Spiritual Food For Thought
Shalom
Mena Lee Jones
Faithful Walk Healing Ministries