In my reading this morning ,I ran across the below :
I Immediately thought of "Tent Pegs" in Isaiah 54
Isaiah 54 The Message (MSG)
Spread Out! Think Big!
1-6 “Sing, barren woman, who has never had a baby.
Fill the air with song, you who’ve never experienced childbirth!
You’re ending up with far more children
than all those childbearing women.” God says so!
“Clear lots of ground for your tents!
Make your tents large. Spread out! Think big!
Use plenty of rope,
drive the tent pegs deep.
You’re going to need lots of elbow room
for your growing family.
You’re going to take over whole nations;
you’re going to resettle abandoned cities.
Don’t be afraid—you’re not going to be embarrassed.
Don’t hold back—you’re not going to come up short.
You’ll forget all about the humiliations of your youth,
and the indignities of being a widow will fade from memory.
For your Maker is your bridegroom,
his name, God-of-the-Angel-Armies!
Your Redeemer is The Holy of Israel,
known as God of the whole earth.
You were like an abandoned wife, devastated with grief,
and God welcomed you back,
Like a woman married young
and then left,” says your God.
7-8
Your Redeemer God says:
“I left you, but only for a moment.
Now, with enormous compassion, I’m bringing you back.
In an outburst of anger I turned my back on you—
but only for a moment.
It’s with lasting love
that I’m tenderly caring for you.
9-10
“This exile is just like the days of Noah for me:
I promised then that the waters of Noah
would never again flood the earth.
I’m promising now no more anger,
no more dressing you down.
For even if the mountains walk away
and the hills fall to pieces,
My love won’t walk away from you,
my covenant commitment of peace won’t fall apart.”
The God who has compassion on you says so.
11-17
“Afflicted city, storm-battered, unpitied:
I’m about to rebuild you with stones of turquoise,
Lay your foundations with sapphires,
construct your towers with rubies,
Your gates with jewels,
and all your walls with precious stones.
All your children will have God for their teacher—
what a mentor for your children!
You’ll be built solid, grounded in righteousness,
far from any trouble—nothing to fear!
far from terror—it won’t even come close!
If anyone attacks you,
don’t for a moment suppose that I sent them,
And if any should attack,
nothing will come of it.
I create the blacksmith
who fires up his forge
and makes a weapon designed to kill.
I also create the destroyer—
but no weapon that can hurt you has ever been forged.
Any accuser who takes you to court
will be dismissed as a liar.
This is what God’s servants can expect.
I’ll see to it that everything works out for the best.”
God’s Decree.
I LOVE the similarities between the passage in Romans and the first 6 verses in the passage from Isaiah.
Just a double reminder for me...
I've never been pregnant, but have had several friends who have, (including 2 right now!) and I've been able to be there for the whole 9 months to see the transition. One thing I know for sure, the later it gets in the pregnancy, the more that mama is ready for that sweet baby to be in her arms! But... I also know,and what keeps the mama "level" is knowing that keeping that baby "cooking" or devolving as long as possible is REALLY the best for the health of the baby. It also gives the new parents extra time to prepare- mentally, materialistically,and physically. Also, it provides extra time to bond with any siblings.
JUST LIKE US.
When we have a "baby", a dream,a vision,or what ever,we ...ok...*I* tend to be very impatient for it to be here,now... and I really don't tend to stop and think about the preparation needed...not just for me,and those involved,but the vision...to take time to let it fully develop -get a clearer,bigger,more HD picture of that vision...the longer the baby stays in the womb,the more clear the sonograms become... from a little speck,to a "oh,she has your nose!"
During the times of waiting, prepare.
Most people plan and prepare for a baby once they find out they're expecting...they *eventually* buy all the necessary baby things... moving to a new place, bigger car...etc... make room for baby!
Whatever preparation looks like for your vision : classes, saving money,moving, networking, serving under a mentor, or even stepping back from a current spot you're serving in to free yourself up, seek the Lord,and do it.
Full term babies-and visions- are healthier. I believe this is why so many visions and ideas of our times have died out...including my own...
We (including myself!) are a generation of innovative,connected, bright, passionate,go-getters.
We are also a generation accommodated to iPhones and technology... and getting and doing stuff NOW. (MYSELF INCLUDED).
We...*Read,I* forget to seek further direction and counsel on "missions" that the Father lets us be apart of.
I,personally, just get so excited with an idea he mentions...that I want to go...now...like the toddler you don't say T-O-Y S-T-O-R-E around.
Instead,I am working on maturing that to oh,ok...you're inviting me along on this mission,what an adventure...what's your plan?
The cool thing is,He says during the waiting period,prepare...expand your tents...and He will fulfill... sometimes we...*I* hold off because it seems too absurd. What if Noah had waited for that Ark!?!?!
So...what are you expecting?! Go forth,seek,prepare,and expect...congratulations! :-D
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