We have been briefly looking at how we are called and gifted by God, “for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29). Earlier in this EMPOWER series, we discussed dreaming bigger with the Lord, as well as knowing our assignments and overcoming obstacles as we pursue the calls on our lives, and then the importance of living in a faith community, together pursuing God’s call. Now, let’s reflect on how and when our assignments and obstacles may change, even though the Lord’s calling on your life hasn’t. Season change
We already know that being anointed is not the same as being appointed! King David was anointed the next king of Israel over a decade before being appointed to the throne. In that in-between time, there was a process that he went through from tending sheep, playing harp in the palace, killing a giant, serving as a military officer, being hunted by the current king and living in caves, and leading a band of rogue warriors and keeping the borderland safe. The calling on David’s life did not change but he went through many seasons before he got there.
Similarly, God gave Abraham a promise that would not be fulfilled for decades, Actually part of the promise was not fulfilled until many generations after he had died. God promised that Abraham would be the father to many nations. This would mean he would need to bare a child which took many decades, and that he would need many future generations to come to build nations from his heir. He too went through many seasons before that promise or calling was fulfilled.
In this series, we noted that this whole process starts with a big dream or at least a portion of a big dream. But then we have to understand and pursue our current assignment. This leads us to having to face and overcome our current obstacles, whether those be internal beliefs or external circumstances. We also spent time talking about how we need to surround ourselves with a faith community where others believe in us and we pour into them, too. As we conclude this initial phase of this Empowered series, we note that new assignments and obstacles will come us as we transition to new seasons. It is all about perseverance.
At one point, David was a successful giant killer, but he still wasn’t king!. But he did enter a new season of being in the palace and an officer in the army. Abraham, did arrive in the land God promised him, but he didn’t instantly become the father of many nations. That came many years, and many seasons later. Changing seasons, with their new assignments and obstacles is all part of the journey with God as we join Him to establish His Kingdom here. But with each season change in our journey, there is a lot we have to be aware of, so we don’t get caught off guard or disappointed in the process.
As these season change, we must be aware that our overall calling remains the same. But you must be watchful in the transition to a new season.
First, we must be willing to let go of each assignment as they end, and pursuing a new assignment in the new season. Personally, I lead small groups for years. I find it comes quite naturally at this point to start a group and shepherd people through their individual process. But God called me to be a leader a few years ago of a larger group with a corporate vision of seeing revival come to a whole valley. This is a different role and it would be easy for me to slip back into the one on one discipleship relationships while losing sight of the larger corporate vision. It is a constant threat to slip back into old assignments, instead of pressing into the new ones.
Another major issue when seasons change is returning to old methods. We see David going to face a giant. He did not wear any armor or use a sword for that initial battle because he was skilled with a slingshot only. But later he became skilled with a sword and we do not see him returning to his slingshot. As his tools and weapons got upgraded he would use the new implements. Our new gifts and training tools may be hard at first and we may want to rely on something we used previously. There was a famous church growth pastor; he would go into a church at teach them how to grow. He did it for years and successfully planted many churches. But God asked him to start a church a new way by only starting ministries when someone volunteered for it and not just go out and hire someone. He said it was very hard not to go back to the old way, but the new way was exactly what God wanted. This pastor then saw much healthier people fill up the churches he planted this new way.
Also, you can become stuck when you identify more with your current season than with your calling. It is very difficult to grow into a new season, or grow in your calling, when this happens. If you identity with your current season too much, or your larger calling becomes wrapped up in your current season and current successes, you will resist the ending of that season. This tends to be when you lose sight of the larger promise or dream and think you have attained everything you need in the safety of the current season. Don’t let this happen. Keep your focus on the larger vision the Lord gave for your life, and let the season change as He directs.
Finally, sometimes you have no control over changing seasons. Like Joseph, you are just moved whether you want to or not. Other times you are invited into a new season by God, but you have to say “yes” to the new things He places in front of you. You can be confident in your calling, have it affirmed by many people, and still enter a new season that feels further from your calling than your last season. But you definitely are on your way! You will learn new things in the Lord, overcome obstacles and complete assignments you couldn’t have in your last season. So rejoice in where God has you!
Has your season changed?
What are you tempted to hold onto from last season? Tools? Relationships? Successes/failures?
