Starting All Over Again

The new year looms ahead of us. Do I sound as though I am dreading it? I'm not. I love the New Year. It holds so much promise and potential. Every year at this time, I start taking inventory of where I am, what I've accomplished over the last 12 months, and what I failed to initiate. Usually, it's easier for me to focus on what I haven't done as opposed to what I have. So, when I say 'The new year looms ahead of us' what I'm really saying is, "There is so much I didn't accomplish this past year."

What did you NOT do? What potential did you NOT see to its fruition? I've come to learn, quite recently, that life happens seasonally. Just as the planet rotates and spins and the climate shifts and changes, so do our lives. Right now, for me, it's spring. There are many changes taking place rather quickly in my personal life, and in my spiritual life. God has taken it upon Himself to awaken things inside of me that have been 'hibernating' for a long while. Apparently, He has need of those things!

I was in a church meeting about a month ago, and the young lady who was ministering to me (with a lovely British accent) said, "I see green shoots, tender new growth sprouting from you. God is cultivating new things in you, they're beautiful and full of life! YOU are beautiful and full of life, and you are helping him to tend this garden He has given you..." She had no idea what she was saying (she was a stranger to me) but she was spot-on. It doesn't matter that in the natural we were only a month shy of winter...I'm in the spring of this cycle of my life and it's AMAZING what God is doing in me!

But where are you?

Identifying where you are in your spiritual season is key to working in tandem with the Lord. If we know where we are, spiritually, we can allow Him to do what is necessary with us to make the most of that season. You aren't going to have a harvest in winter, so don't try to...you need to let the ground go fallow and rest for awhile. If it's summer in your life, spiritually, you're going to do a lot of work, a lot of tending to what's been planted. It's maintenance and cultivation time. Work with Him, ask the Holy Spirit what you can do to maximize this time. He will answer you gladly!

Many months ago I was sitting at my kitchen table, ruminating over why I wasn't making any more progress than I was. God told me, quite succinctly, "Jennifer, your cooperation is welcome, your assistance is not necessary." And I sort of slumped down in my chair and went, "Oh, sorry." It was a reminder that all He requires of me is to go in the direction which He leads. I have to trust His hand in every aspect of my "tending". He is the "Vinedresser", according to John 15 (my favorite chapter in the entire Bible).

What does that mean? Easton's Bible Dictionary says, "One whose business it is to cultivate the ground..." A farmer, then. God is growing a crop in each one of us. His greatest desire is that we produce, "...fruit that will last..." according to that same chapter in John's Gospel. He desires we be productive, and yield a great harvest to His glory and honor. He likens us to this plant, this grape vine.

Grape vines have to be tended carefully. They are very labor intensive. The vinedresser knows each vine intimately; he knows what their weaknesses are, how to get the greatest harvest out of each vine, how to doctor each branch that may not be producing well. There is a tremendous investment of time and energy in tending these vines. But, the goal is to produce a better harvest year after year.

God wants the same in us: more healthy, fat, attractive fruit that causes others to say, "Wow, I want some of that!" It points them to Him, because they know we didn't do this ourselves. Our only part was to take the pruning, the tilling, the watering, the care He offered and let Him do what He does best...produce incredible things from humble branches like you and me!

So, with that in mind...I'm showing new growth!

2009 will see me entering school again at the ripe old age of 36! Talk about new sprouts developing! The opportunity presented itself, and after much prayer and seeking God, I've come to see this is what He wants for me. It will benefit me, but in the long-run, it will also benefit The Kingdom. That is my greatest desire: that the fruit I bear lasts long after I am gone, for the sake of The Kingdom.

I tell my readers this because I covet your prayers (so much newness this year, with the new home, new job, new church, new relationship...WOW!) as I take this opportunity to grow even more as an individual and child of God. I am seeking the Lord's direction daily as I make these decisions...what do I need to pursue, what do I need to leave alone? As I stated to one of my friends this week, "I need to make a precision decision."

And so, kind readers, I am asking for your prayers and your support as I take this step of faith. I will try very hard to keep up with the blog, as it is such a joy to me to reach out to you like this. I know many of you enjoy reading as much as I enjoy writing, so I will do my best to stay faithful to you all!

One thing I ask you to do as well...leave the door open for God to bring you into something BRAND NEW this coming year. I have such an incredible feeling about 2009! Yes, there are a lot of changes coming down the pike for this country, and for the global community as well. America is such a kingpin in the world as we know it...when change this drastic comes to us it has a domino effect. I do not dread what I sense coming for us, Believers.

I honestly believe the Church, at large, is about to embark on the finest hours of her existence. It's time for the Bride to make herself ready. I've been hearing that for weeks, in my spirit. We're going to shine! I feel that in my gut!

So, as the Bride, let's allow the Holy Spirit to prepare us for what He knows is coming to us! He was sent to empower, enable, and instruct us for this very time. He is equipping us to be a radiant bride for a King full of glory and honor! I want that more than anything! I want to be ready for whatever is coming, and I know, the Vinedresser is tending me just for that purpose.

He wants to do the same for you, Beloved!

Let God be God! Let Him do His thing...which is to grow us, mature us, bless us, break us and distribute us where He needs us to be. Position yourself for progress, Church...our day is about to dawn!

Be Blessed in the New Year, and Happy Holidays to you all!

Jennifer Barnes
Editor
UPLIFT! Today