Patterns in divine shifts

I have noticed over the past few years, that there are similarities in what God told me, how I felt and the events that happened leading up to a divine shift in season. After a few times of observing this pattern, I am more apt to discern the shifts in seasons. Firstly, God will usually prepare me with verses that speak of Him doing a new thing like Isaiah 43:19 or messages that speak of change coming. He will then tell me to let go of the past for it is no more. The old has gone, the new has come.

 Secondly, God would usually tell me to prepare for action, no more waiting, arise and go, get ready to move on, be on the expectant lookout for the new things months before the season change. He would also enlarge my vision, stretch my tent curtains and renew my mind to prepare me to embrace the change that is come in up. The key is to remain flexible and close to The Lord for He might do things in a different way. New wine cannot be poured into old wineskins.

Thirdly, just before I step into the Promised land, The Lord will bring me through a review of the past journey taken. This is an important step, looking back before He moves me forward. In doing so, He will show me that I have finished that chapter well and He is pleased with me. Hence He is now ready to move me on, He promises to complete the good work He started in me for that season. Looking back also serves the purpose of setting up memorial stones as signs of His faithfulness. He will also tell me to remember that it is The Lord who caused this to come to pass. I am to give all the glory back to Jesus. Let he who boasts boast in The Lord. He will also remind me to meditate on His word, to be strong and courageous in the days ahead.

Fourthly, just before the divine shifts take place, I find myself undergoing a lot of pressure and opposition. Many distractions also occur to take my focus off what The Lord is doing in my life. I would feel like a woman about to give birth, with all those labour pains or contractions, making me feel so uncomfortable, restless and vulnerable. I would feel like a door has closed behind me, there is no turning back and yet the door in front is not opened yet. I would feel so stuck and then I would cry out to The Lord asking Him to show me evidences of change, of the new things He spoke of. Yet The Lord is so good. He would assure me again that He will finish what He started and when He opens a door, no one can shut. The truth is the door is still open even though I may not feel it or see it yet. When I reached this tipping point, I would see the door ahead of me open or I would feel things falling into place.

Lastly, there is usually a step of faith required. The step of faith is to respond to His call to the new things He has began in my life. At this point, after the open door has been revealed, it is clear that a change has occurred, a divine shift has taken place. Yet this calls for a response for me to walk through that open door. This step is irreversible. When you walk through that door, it will be stepping into a whole new world. Everything will not be the same anymore. Yes, open doors are exciting yet the unknown changes ahead are unsettling. There will surely be adjustments ahead and you will wonder how it would be like.

At this point, there is no room for doubts or unbelief. The long-awaited change is here, the door ahead is finally opened and it really does not make sense to draw back now. You just got to trust God that since He has brought you thus far, He will surely bring you to cross the finish line. He will finish what He started in you. So don't think so much, just obey Him and walk through that open door. A whole new world awaits you and you will never regret it. He will cause you to successfully transit into a new season. Congratulations and rejoice for He has brought you up to another level, bringing you closer to your divine destiny.

When God opens the door, the changes would start to unveil one by one. This is when things started to move and there is a certain momentum. This is an exciting time of fulfillment in your life when you witness the power of His open doors and the manifestation of His promises. It's harvest time. The things that He told you in advance finally came to pass, one by one. When He opens the door of your heart's desire, you will feel so loved and so grateful. There is no time to wallow in past disappointments or pay attention to strongholds or distractions.

 There is just so much excitement in store and all your attention is caught up in preparing for the new things ahead. You can also be sure that even as a certain promise that you have been waiting for years has yet to be revealed, it doesn't mean that God has shut the door. It just means it is awaiting the appointed time to be revealed and the time is very very near. You know it in your heart because of the signs of the fig tree happening which are the events leading up to this open door.

In fact, at this stage, you are past caring when this door will open because you are pre-occupied with the new things God has done in your life. You know that as you get along with your daily chores, having the time of your life, this door will open unexpectedly. This is when you know you have truly gotten a breakthrough in this area, when you have totally let go of it that you become nonchalant about it. It has no power to grip your heart anymore...Christ has give you victory. You have finally overcome the age-old bondage. Rejoice and celebrate!

Open door to part-time work

Indeed it is true that what God opens, no man can shut. There were two doors that God opened for my part-time work since Apr 2013. I had been waiting on The Lord to confirm which is the right one. One was in the new company that Heng is working now and the other was in church office. It was actually a breakthrough because for the past two years I had periodically asked God for open doors to work part-time but no open doors. But somehow from this year, I had this desire to work part-time again. However, when I applied for part-time admin work in an educational institution early this year, I received a word during Sunday service and I knew it was a closed door. What I was not sure was whether God has closed the door to part-time work completely or that it was not my time yet. Or that was not the right place. 

It was interesting that this desire to work part-time came up again this year but when I thought about it, there was no heartache or pain associated with the thought. In the past, working part-time was like a compromise, like a stop-gap measure to feeling bored at home. It reminded me of the pain of waiting for my second baby, that because this promise had not manifested soon enough, so that was why I had to start looking for some work again. But this time round, when the desire to work part-time came, it was purely out of a desire in my heart. It had nothing to do with being bored at home. In fact, I was enjoying my free time at home with The Lord.

It is true that God works through our desires in the new covenant. God has made it so easy for us in the new covenant to be directed by His wisdom and love. We no longer have to run to prophets to find out His will for us. He Himself leads us with His prompting. In early Apr, when I was offered the part-time job to work in the new company that Heng is working, I was happy but I did not feel that was the right place. My heart's desire was to work in the church office. I waited for this open door till early May and I still did not see anything happening so I concluded maybe it was not time for me to work in church yet. Since there was no sign of an open door in that area, I thought God had closed the door to my part-time work.

I told God it was ok. Even if I did not work, it was ok. After all I was busy in end May and for June school holidays, I would have to take care of Joshua. Well, I felt there was no hurry to get to work now. I could wait for His timing. But the fact was: God did not close these two doors. He left them open. It was just a matter of time before I walked through the open door. What God opens, no man can shut. If it was His will for me to work in church, I did not have to use my self efforts or force open a door. I know that if God did not open that door, it would be useless to try to make it open. I was so dependent on Him for the open doors. Anyway, I thank God that I was not desperate to work part-time. I can rest at home anyway.

God is so good. He heard my prayers and He answered them. One day in mid May I felt impressed to send a message to my Pastor to tell him I prayed for him and the pastoral team.  My Pastor really appreciated my prayers and he said he was thinking about me the other day. He wanted to talk to me about helping out with care group matters in church office. Wow! I was so happy when I saw this. It was God's hand at work. God must be the One who impressed upon Pastor's mind about me. I am so grateful to Him for always opening the door for me. Be it the care group leader appointment or the desire to serve at the Star, or this desire to work in church office, it has always been The Lord who did all the work. I never had to force my way through an open door or try too hard. I really feel so loved when I see this open door and so honored that Pastor would be even thinking of asking me to help.

Yes, open doors in life meant opportunity, progress and promotion but at the same time, you would have questions about the changes. It was exciting to walk through an open door yet you wonder about what was ahead. Things that were unknown made us jittery. Most of these doubts were silly. Imagine you have been waiting all these years for things to change, for things to move in your life yet when it came, you get the jitters. But during this time these doubts appeared large and threatening. At this time if you start believing the doubts you will not enjoy the blessing of the open door. For destroying these doubts you will have to boldly say out loud that what God has opened for you no one can shut. You have to believe it with all your heart. Yes, shout it out loud that what God has opened no one can shut. 

That was how I felt earlier on. I felt that a door has closed behind me, although I did not know how. I felt like the old season was passing and a new beginning was on the horizon. I sensed that changes started occurring since Apr, yet I did not know what exactly were these changes and the magnitude of the adjustments I had to make. I also know that more changes were on the way yet I did not know when they would happen. I sensed an open door to part-time work is opening since Apr but I did not know what it was. I thought it was the offer to work in Heng's company. But it was not. Then in early May, when the call for recruitment for volunteers to work in church office came, my spirit leapt. I thought this was it. But when the church did not call for a while, I started to doubt if I sensed correctly. And I wondered if I was suitable to work in church office. 

Earlier before God's plan was revealed to me, I was feeling jittery with the thoughts of all these imminent changes in my life, Heng's job, growth in care group numbers, part-time work etc. My doubts were whether I could handle all these changes for I already felt stretched managing the increased care group size. But God was so good. He reassured me again and again that it was He who opened those doors and He would surely bring me to cross over to the new season. He who started a good work in me would bring it to completion. Jesus is the author and finisher of my faith. I would surely make it to the finish line. Indeed these doubts were silly. I wondered if I heard correctly from The Lord about the open doors and whether which was the right door for me. But His word was confirmed by the events that happened after He spoke. It was true that I sensed correctly and when I knew that it is His will, He is the One who opened the door, then I am confident that He will empower me to walk through that door. 

Why God closes doors

I came across this message on 'Closed Doors are a Blessing' which I felt it was very good. Below are highlights from the website http://www.lovesark.net/everlastinglove/closeddoors.html.

Sometimes, before God places an open door before us, He will close certain doors first. At times, the open door comes rather fast but often times it tarries. Do not be surprised at the closed doors; you should know for sure that it is God who opens and closes doors in your life. As long as you think it is some human being or institution that does it you are going to be sadly mistaken. If you trust in Jesus; He is the one who opens and closes doors in your life: "What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open'' (Revelation 3:7b NIV).

Therefore, be sure and fully convinced that the closed doors in your life are His doing. You need not blame anyone for that. You need not curse your circumstances. The best thing to do is to thank God for closing those doors in your life. Is that easy to do? Not at all. But that is the best thing you can do!

1. God closes doors so you can change directions

Many times you keep on doing what you do all your life. But God might certainly have better things in store for you. Since you are comfortable doing what you are now doing and good at it; you will never think about changing directions at all. You will never even give it a passing thought. So to get your attention, God will close doors in your face. He will not allow them to be opened again for you however hard you try.

It is only then that you will listen to what God has to say to you. He might whisper to you to try something new, to take up a new job, apply for a promotion etc. Now you are ready to hear and obey. Earlier, when the sailing was smooth, you were happy cruising along. Now that you are without a ship to sail; you will start looking for the next ship, maybe a small boat for the time being, that God has kept ready for you. So closed doors in your life are God's attention-grabbers. Thank God for them. He is pointing you to a new direction in life. It's going to be exciting. 

2. God closes doors so that you can pray more, depend on Him more.

Isn't it true that doors that are open never inspire you to pray much? That is simply because you take them for granted. You do not give it a second thought. You may be thankful for it; but not consciously giving thanks to God for it. But when the door closes, you suddenly become aware of how much it had meant to you. You feel with awesome helplessness the immovable strength of a closed door shut in your face.

Then, in sheer helplessness, you hit the dust on your knees. And you cry out, "O God, help me!'' The cry echoes in emptiness. You will feel the pain of rejection. You cry out: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Still no answer. All is darkness. You feel despair. You feel gnawing emptiness. But you have no other way. You continue to pray until there comes an assurance in your heart that God has heard. His peace settles in your heart. Now you can eagerly expect God to open some door for you.

But the moments just before the door opens are the toughest for it is said that the darkest hour is just before dawn. That means, that the time before you receive the answer to prayer is the darkest. It is then that you need to pray more. So closed doors teach you to pray more. They grip your heart with such force that you pray like you've never prayed before. And when doors open; you will thankfully realize that you have moved up another level in the prayer ladder. Therefore pray with all your might when doors close on you.

3. God closes doors so you can stop trusting in man

It is only when you have knocked at closed doors that you understand that the help of man cannot be trusted. It is during such times you come to know the true character of those whom you expected would help. You might have been given hope day after day by their soothing words of promise. Until one day you found them telling you not to trouble them anymore. Then you felt the pain of being let down; the pain of having been deceived into believing those words which gave you false hopes.

And now you are alone! But Someone stands alongside, waiting for you to realize that He is standing by. Closed doors do help you to see Him stand by your side. Many times He knocked at your heart to tell you that He is willing to help. But then your eyes and hopes were set on those men who had promised to help. So you never heard His knocking. You never opened the doors for Him.

Now that you find every door closed; you are ready to listen to Him. It is now you are ready to say along with the Psalmist: ``Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm'' (Psalm 20:7,8 NIV). Now you are ready to get rid of those chariots and horses in which you trusted. And now you are ready to see God open doors for you. So closed doors compels you to stop trusting in man. It helps you see that God alone can open doors for you.

4. God closes doors so that you can learn to wait for His timing

In the wisdom of this world any time is right. In the eyes of this world there is no concept like waiting for God's specific time. But when God deals with you, His child, He often closes doors so that you will wait for His right time.

You have to know that there are many reasons why God would do this. He does it to prepare circumstances. He prepares them in such a fashion that it will be to your best advantage when His time comes. If you act before His time it will be like plucking an unripe fruit. He knows when it is going to be ripe and ready to be eaten. He closes doors so that you will not pluck the unripe fruit. He will open them only when it is ripe. Then it will be to your best advantage.

In the Bible we see this in the life of Joseph. He was put in prison. There he interpreted the dreams of two men. He told one of them, the chief cupbearer of the king, to remember him when all goes well with him. Joseph also asked him to mention him to Pharaoh and to get his release from prison. Even though the chief cupbearer was restored to his position, the Bible says that he did not remember Joseph but forgot him.

Two full years passed by. Joseph might have lost hope that the cupbearer would get him out of prison. But then God's time came. Pharaoh had dreams. Nobody could interpret them. Then the chief cupbearer remembered Joseph. Immediately, Joseph was brought out of prison. And he became Governor of the land.

It all happened quickly. So also it can happen to you if you wait for God's time. Joseph tried to make his release come in his own time. But God closed the door then. He opened it after two years. This was because God had now prepared the circumstances. Now Joseph became the governor of the land.

Have you ever thought what would have happened if Joseph got his release two years ago? He would have got his freedom only to become somebody's slave again!

5. God is preparing you for the task ahead while you wait behind closed doors

This is a more important process that happens to you while you wait for God's time--God is preparing you for the task ahead. God knows what qualities and strength of character you need to be able to handle the honor that you will be given when He opens doors. For that He allows you to pass through difficulties behind closed doors.

All the waiting, all the hardships and all the misunderstanding and ridicule that you are facing now is building muscles of steely-faith in your mind. You are being molded and shaped by God to meet your glorious destiny. The more tough your closed door; the greater the exaltation God has planned for you.

You can know this lesson from Joseph's life itself: ``And he sent a man before them--Joseph, sold as a slave. They bruised his feet with shackles, his neck was put in irons, till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the Lord proved him true. The king sent and released him, the ruler of the peoples set him free. He made him master of his household, ruler over all he possessed, to instruct his princes as he pleased and teach his elders wisdom'' (Psalm 105:17--22 NIV).

The dream of greatness was God's promise to Joseph. And He prepared him behind closed doors to give him the exaltation that was promised earlier.

So closed doors guard God's preparation ground to make you ready for the greatness that He has kept in store for you!