It’s time to arise!
For some of you, where you are right now is not where God wants you to remain. You’ve been on that mountain for far too long, and it’s time to switch levels.
There comes a point in our lives when we become aware that something has to change. You may begin to feel dissatisfied with where you are or even with the rate at which you are going. Not because you are ungrateful for where God has brought you, but because something within you knows there is more.
Sometimes, that awareness is the beginning of a realignment. You begin to recognise that God is calling you into something different, something higher, according to His purpose and His timing for your life.
But before we go any further, I think it is important to clarify something.
Not every season that feels stagnant means you need to move.
There are seasons when God intentionally keeps us in a particular place because He is preparing us, training us, developing our character or teaching us something we will need for the next season. Waiting does not always mean that you are stuck.
That is not the kind of stagnation I am talking about here.
I am talking about that moment when, even within your spirit, you know that you have stayed at a level you were never meant to remain at. You know that you are capable of more, that God has placed more inside of you and that you have become too comfortable settling for less than what He is calling you into.
A Call to Arise
Arise [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you—rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! -Isaiah 60:1 (AMPC)
I love the Amplified Classic rendition of this Scripture because of the way it describes arising.
God is calling you to get up from that low position.
It could be emotional pain, depression, heartbreak, disappointment, fear, a mindset that has kept you small. Or even a season where you have become so comfortable that you have stopped pursuing what God has placed in your heart.
Whatever it is, there comes a time when you have to get up.
Get out of that pity party you have become comfortable sitting in, and occupy the position God is calling you to.
What Is the Position?
I like to think of this position as a canvas of His glory.
When God calls us to arise, He isn’t simply calling us to become more successful, more visible or more accomplished. He is calling us to become more of who He created us to be and to allow His nature to be seen through our lives.
But we can only truly shine when the light has come.
And that light is the revelation of who you are in Christ and the purpose God has placed on your life.
When you begin to understand who you are in Him, it changes the way you see yourself, the way you live and the way you show up in the world.
Jesus said:
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)
Do you see this?
You were never created to hide.
When you understand that you are the light of the world, it should influence everything you do. The way you work. The way you speak. The way you treat people. The way you approach your gifts. The way you conduct yourself when nobody is watching.
But here’s the beautiful thing: you can shine from anywhere.
You can shine in business.
You can shine in your career.
You can shine as a homemaker.
You can shine in ministry.
You can shine in school.
or in whatever field God has placed you.
Wherever you are, seek to represent Him well!
Pursue excellence. Be creative. Be compassionate. Walk in integrity. Serve people. Show kindness. Let the character of Jesus be seen in you.
Look at creation and you will see how creative our Father is. Look at the universe, the galaxies, the stars and the incredible detail in everything He has made.
We were made in His image.
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
Genesis 1:27 (NIV)
So why shouldn’t our lives reflect something of the One whose image we carry?
The Higher Life
The higher life isn’t necessarily about having a bigger platform, a better job, more money or greater recognition.
It is about living at a higher standard because you belong to Christ.
The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:20:
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
We are ambassadors for Christ.
That means we shouldn’t only talk about the Gospel. We should live it. We should walk it.
At your office, for example, you cannot be found amongst those who are gossiping, slandering, complaining or backbiting. That is not the nature of the One you represent.
God placed you there for a reason.
Distinguish yourself, not because you think you are better than anyone else, but because you carry something different. You carry Christ in you
.
Let your life become a living, breathing and walking epistle.
In an atmosphere of complaining, be a distributor of peace.
Where there is bitterness, bring love.
Where there is discouragement, bring hope.
Where there is chaos, carry the peace of God.
Where there is mediocrity, pursue excellence.
This is part of what it means to live the higher life.
Stay on God
Now, here is the thing.
The moment you decide to arise and shine, you need to understand that you cannot sustain that life in your own strength.
The enemy will try to dim your light by using his devices. We will talk more about some of these in Part 2 of this series.
But for now, I want you to remember one thing: stay connected to the Source.
Jesus said:
Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:4-5 (NIV)
Jesus is our Source.
We cannot arise in our own strength, and we cannot shine for long without remaining connected to Him.
It is through studying and meditating on His Word, praying, worshipping and fellowshipping with Him that we continue to bear fruit and live the life He has called us to live.
So, arise.
Step into the position God is calling you to.
Let your light shine.
Represent Christ wherever you are.
But above all, remain in Him.
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