A few weeks ago I met with Ps David McCracken in a small
restaurant in Hallam for one of our semi-regular catch ups. Seated at a two
seater table, off to the side of the main entrance, we began what we thought
would be a simple time of fellowship and sharing. What we didn’t know was that
the Lord would interrupt our lunch to deliver an incredibly timely word for the
season we find ourselves entering.
As I was sharing some of the events of the church over
recent times, Ps David stopped me. He motioned for me to wait as he collected
his thoughts. It was like someone else was having a discussion with him for a
few moments as the quizzical look became a grin. “The Lord just gave me a word
for you and the church” he said. God had interrupted our lunch!
Unbeknown to Ps David, I have been praying for Jesus to
give us a prophetic insight into the times we are approaching. The world around
us continues to navigate itself onto pathways we have never seen before. And
yet the words of Jesus remain unchanged when he said that He would build the
church and the very “…gates of hell will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18).
We have heard many times over the decades that the church
holds the keys to the ills of humanity. And that remains true. Yet even the body
of Christ goes through seasons. We all love springtime when life seems to burst
out from every tree but the season that precedes it is sometimes the hardest to
endure, and we often wonder if anything could be left to celebrate when
springtime finally arrives.
The reality is that God has much more in store for us to
accomplish. The changing seasons create strength, maturity and growth that
allow our capacities to be expanded. What God wanted us to carry last season
has been increased for the coming one. So, what was the word that the Lord
interrupted our lunch to tell us? It was a scripture, found in Song of Songs
chapter 2 and verses 11-13. It says:
“See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers
appear on the earth; the
season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The
fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.
Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me.” (NIV)
“I must come and share this prophetic moment with the people
of Peninsula City Church”, Ps David said. “I believe God has something
incredible to say to you”. Over the next hour we allowed the Lord to wash his
intentions over us. I drove home with tears in my eyes as I thanked Jesus for
interrupting our lunch to deliver such an amazing encouragement.
Ps Jim Jung
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