Today during my time with God, I was praying about the prophetic voice inside of me…and the prophetic culture altogether. I’ve heard many people make sad accusations and claims against the community. Here’s the thing, nobody is perfect. The prophetic community is no different. Nobody is infallible, except Jesus…and the one receiving or hearing the prophetic words from someone has an equal responsibility to take those to God and ask Him if it’s truth. It’s not simply all up to the prophetic person.
God has called me to be a voice, and because of the weightiness of this call I have held back quite a lot. Other times, I have not spoken at all, and have been terrified of making mistakes. This shouldn’t be. Everyone in every position within the Body of Christ must learn. We all start out as beginners and must learn and be taught…and often the best teacher is failure. But God is there. He has never condemned me, only convicted and encouraged.
Today, while wrestling with past criticisms, I laid myself bare before God and was honest in my heart. Then I had a wonderful vision…
I saw my face and God’s hand came around and placed a gold sieve over my mouth. Then He said, “Speak, and trust that I will filter you out of it. It will only be Me.”
Honestly, I spend half of my thought life weighing my words and actions. It’s like I’m constantly checking my heart and motives; weighing my words and considering how others may interpret what I’m saying. When I feel like I have failed with my words or actions, I’m so hard on myself. It’s exhausting. I am fully aware that to move forward I MUST start trusting God with myself. Trusting Him with my behavior…trusting Him to correct me with love. Trusting Him to change me.
I remember as a child, feeling like I never said things right. There are several times in my life history that I stood up in one way or another and was dismissed, misunderstood, or shouted down and demeaned. It’s hard for me to stand up…God called me to be a leader…and in this season He is developing me to lead in different ways. I’m very comfortable leading in worship, but with speaking it’s harder. It’s harder because it’s newer. I know I am in a season of transition. I also am aware that the accuser is trying to block my way with self-conscious darts, and fear of being misunderstood. When it’s all boiled down, I must begin to let the knowledge that God knows my heart, be enough.
Is this resonating with any of you?
Some people in your life will misunderstand you simply because they want to, or because their misunderstanding serves to solidify negative thoughts they have toward you anyway…and there’s nothing you or I can do about that. What if today we resolve to simply follow Jesus. Carrying on with my theme of “simple”, I encourage you to do just that. Live simple…follow Jesus and let Him take care of the rest.
As for God, His way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; He causes me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You make Your saving help my shield, and Your right hand sustains me; Your help has made me great. You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way. Psalm 18:30-36
365 Days in the Presence 