Thursday, June 4, 2015

OPEN DOORS, NEW BEGINNINGS AND DUE SEASON

Last night I was just thinking about the various concepts of open doors, due season, new beginnings, restoration etc. Open doors are usually associated with new things because after you go through the open door, it will be a whole new world. However, open doors do not necessarily imply that your due season has come. But when you are in due season, there will be open doors. Doors which are shut for a long time will be suddenly opened to you. 

How about new beginnings? New beginnings and new levels are always associated with a new season. And when you see a new beginning on the horizon, it also means that God is preparing a season of restoration for you. Usually springtime is characterised by new things, but not so in harvest time. But you may still witness some new things happening in due season. In harvest time, you will see God restoring to you the things you have lost and the reward for pressing on, hanging to His word. You will also come upon unexpected surprises or blessings and see Him do exceedingly above and beyond what you can imagine. 

Your spirit will be excited and you will have a heightened sense of expectancy when God comes to shift your seasons. But I find the excitement more so for springtime and harvest. You will have a joy in your heart. But it is in harvest time that bondages fall off and strongholds are destroyed. Things that used to hold you back no longer has a hold over you. God's word and His messages will consistently bombard you so you would know that your due season has arrived. 

Another characteristic of due season is also found in other seasons. Like when there is a change of seasons or you see signs of open doors, things suddenly seem to fall into place. And they all happen around the same time. I also experienced an increase in spiritual resistance during season change, not just for harvest season. The devil hates divine shifts. The pressure is turned on because you are very close to victory, just about to move up to another level of your destiny. But I suppose the resistance would be much greater when you are coming to your due season and even more so as you step into your kairos or appointed time. 

I just watched Pastor Joel's sermon titled 'Don't waste your pain!' preached on 31 May. He talked about a news report about a lady who had nausea and back pains but the doctors thought it was a virus. The months went by and she got more uncomfortable, swelling in her feet, putting on weight etc. Then one day she had excruciating pain in her stomach and went to the hospital. It turned out that she was pregnant and she gave birth one hour later! All these pains came for reason. Her body was changing but she didn't realise it! 

Many of us are like her. We don't know that we are pregnant and what we are experiencing are birth pains. The pain has come because we are going through changes. I am reminded of the metamorphosis process...how the caterpillar turns into a beautiful butterfly. I don't know if that process was painful for the butterfly but even if so, it would be all worth it. 

If you are experiencing pain and feeling uncomfortable, know that you are undergoing some changes. Don't be afraid. Stay in faith for the pain will eventually pass but you will give birth to the new thing God is doing in your life. When it's painful, don't get discouraged, get ready. Don't focus on the pain, the resistance, focus on the birth that is imminent. Hebrews 12:2 says that Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before Him, who is us. These birth pangs will not stop you but it will promote you. Be on the lookout for the birth. 

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