One year ago, I decided to embrace a lifelong dream that would require discipline and perseverance to not let it drown because my feelings didn’t “feel up to it.” I set a goal to blog once a week for the entire year. A worthy goal, as in doing so it would give me more practice at the object of my desire – to become a writer – but also a challenging one, as it involved commitment beyond what I’d become accustomed. Unlike in previous times past where I managed to make it only 15 blogs into the year, I am happy to report that this is my 52nd blog post this year and it feels great! Writing has always been a passion of mine, and like most dreams and passions, they have a way of waning as we pass through time. That is unless we learn to step into the fullness of what life has to offer us. I believe this year is going to be just that for many of us, learning to step into the fullness of all God has planned for us, even if it’s new, especially when we don’t feel up to it.
You may recall the reading from yesterday’s blog Waiting to Believe, regarding the Beloved disciple who paused before entering the tomb of the resurrected Jesus (John 20:5-8). Sometimes we can falter too by hanging back against the expectations of our hearts, afraid of being disappointed, hesitant to enter in for want of wonders. Or maybe we’re a bit more like the sisters, Martha and Mary, at the tomb of their brother Lazarus (John 11), angry and upset that the Lord had not come sooner. We had a certainty of expectation in the ability of others to help us see our lives go a certain way and when it did not, we placed our blame entirely upon them, forgetting it is we who lacked the faith to believe. Some dreams require tremendous faith to see them through, especially those that must be resurrected from the dead.
This year, I believe the Lord is not only going to resurrect dreams in our hearts but he is going to allow us to feel the full measure of their fulfillment. Why? For one simple and very profound reason, His desire is for us.
“I belong to my beloved, and his desire is for me.” – Song of Songs 7:10
Do you know that the first time Jesus is recorded in the Bible to have wept is just after he speaks with Mary outside the tomb of Lazarus when he realizes how little faith even his most beloved ones have in God. He says to her,
“Did I not tell you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” – John 11:40
Dear friends, it’s not only about having faith in the promises of Christ but moving also in the fullness of their understanding that we too may not just believe but see the glory of God in the land of the living.
My favorite part happens next. Jesus turns his focus to Our Father, not just for his own sake, but for ours.
So they took away the stone [Like the one in our stoney hearts]. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this on account of the people standing by, that they may believe that you sent me.” – John 11:41-42
Jesus didn’t just come to fulfill our dreams, he came to point us back to Our Heavenly Father. The Father who’s desire is always for us. And when we know who our Father truly is, we know that we can ask of Him anything and He will give it to us in fullness because he always hears the hearts of His faithful Beloved.
This year will be the beginning of a huge shift back to the heart of the Father. We can expect to see a greater understanding of the Holy Scriptures regarding this revelation of God as Father. In pursuit of such revelations, many Christians will be given a greater understanding of the Hebrew Old Testament, which will likewise become a bridge to deeper relationship between Jews and Gentiles of faith. Expect to see relationship among Jews and Christians to become more prevalent in the years ahead as we each come into greater alignment with the word of God regarding the unity of all those who serve the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. There will be continued strengthening of alliances among nation states with the nation of Israel as well as local alliances on a community level among synagogues and churches. This movement toward unity will be seen within the church, as well, as the Ancient Schisms begin to heal and what once divided us no longer resounds as greatly as what unites us in faith. Expect to see a greater revelation of the Bread of the Presence in the days ahead. It is the Communion Bread of the Presence which sets apart the flocks at Bozrah (Micah 2:12).
A deeper revelation of the fullness of Yahweh’s nature will be expounded upon through the reunification of these relationships and will lead to a greater understanding for the need of the gift of prophecy, which the Apostle Paul admonishes the first century Jews and Gentiles to eagerly desire above all the other spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 14:1). The hunger and desire for the gift of the Father’s Heart through the gift of prophecy will lead to greater evangelism and a growing remnant of people who will steward a pure prophetic flow. These ones have already been forged in the fires of intimacy and spent the last seasons in throne room encounters with both the Father and the Son. Out of these encounters, these ones have been given a great desire to see a return to holiness that others may encounter Our Father in the same way. They will continue the testimony of Jesus by living their lives in laid down obedience and letting their words and actions prophesy to the great love of Our Father in Heaven.
2018 is a year of the Alpha. This will be a year for many to know God the Father as God the Alpha.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” – Revelations 1:8 (See also Rev. 22:13)
Expect to see the prophesy of Malachi 4:6 manifest more boldly in the season ahead, as He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so too will many families see a turning to fatherhood. The Carpenter Joseph’s will emerge in this hour. As eyes are re-focused on the heart of fatherhood, the Josephs will begin to example the Authentic call of Masculinity through the calling of fatherhood. Many will begin to have divine illumination of Joseph’s roll in Jesus’ life both as earthly provider and spiritual head over the Holy Family. Revelations and books will reveal to many a profound insight into the man who was led by God in his dreams and who with little to say in the Holy Scriptures, as was the way of Jesus’ Mother Mary, held one of the most prestiges positions in raising the young Messiah. The emergence of the Josephs will bring a greater call to the return of family. Many families will witness sudden conversions of heart and will see dreams fulfilled as fathers and mothers begin to walk out the fullness of what family life was meant to reveal to the world about Our Heavenly Father’s nature. It’s is not just a season for the return of prodigals but a season for whole families and people groups to be reunited under the Banner of Our Father’s Love. Many orphans will find their identity in new families this year.
In short, 2018 is going to be like a tree of life, a tremendous year for hearts that yearn to see fulfillment!
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. – Proverbs 13-12
Dear friends, let us always remember His desire is for us! It’s God’s desire for us to step into the fullness of His redemptive plan for us. A plan for Fatherly sonship, family brotherhood, desires fulfilled and complete unity. So get ready to dream again, open up to the fullness of God’s plans for you, face down the giants that threaten to keep you from realizing your call to the Kingdom and have faith enough to enter in!
May your new year be sweet with the dew from Heaven and May your desire increase for all that is pleasing to God.
Until the Day Dawns and the Shadows Flee,
❤️ Kim
Kim Engel is mother to two children, Author, Speaker and lover of the Word. She has a heart for encouraging women to Awaken to their God-given gifts and callings and to see the Body of Christ come together in unity as it continues the mission of Jesus Christ to bring love to the world in the hope of salvation and by the power of the Holy Spirit. She is founder of Sheerah Ministries, a collaboration of women intent on sharing the good news and inspiration of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit through teachings, retreats, speaking engagements, writing, media and the arts. Follow Kim on her Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/WakingEve, YouTube www.YouTube.com/channel/UCzZz_mjapj-1QR6_h17Agtg, and on Instagram and Twitter @WakingEve or contact by email at info@sheerahministries.com. SUBSCRIBE to our blog to keep updated on Sheerah Ministries blogs by contributing partners, news and events.
