Preparing For Increase

(written Sunday night, Jan. 4th)

 

Wow. I just had my mind blown. And in a way I never would have expected!

First, a bit of background. I’ve spent quite a bit of time hanging out with Jesus in the past few days – adding to my dream list, writing down what I specifically wanted to do for 2015, asking God about His thoughts for this next year, etc. For a little while now, I’ve been feeling that this year is going to be a year of abundance, of increase. I can’t even tell you how it started; I just know it has been a theme lately. I know some of it was initiated by the purchase of my house – and what I felt God was speaking to me about this next season of my life. I also spent two full days in December baking for a work event. While I was baking, I listened to an entire sermon series on the “Purpose of Prosperity” by Bill Johnson. (I know what some of you may be thinking – this is just another Prosperity gospel gimmick. I can assure you, that is not what Bill spoke about. In fact, he is not a huge fan of those messages himself.)  Throughout the series, I felt God confirming a message in my heart regarding a desire to transform our society, our culture, our nation.  He has placed us on this earth to steward it – which includes resources and wealth, among other things.  In November (right before I bought my house), I went to a Lance Wallnau conference in Chicago. Lance’s life message is all about the 7 mountains that shape our culture. It’s fascinating – but too much for me to go into or try to explain right now.  Needless to say, all of these things come down to this: it often takes MONEY to make our way up the mountain and influence culture.

I’m sure that paragraph doesn’t adequately explain what has been going on internally for me the past few months, but at least you have a bit of a background regarding this theme in my heart.  Then, as I was reading Psalm 65 yesterday, the 2^nd half of the Psalm was highlighted to me:  

“You care for the land and water it;

You enrich it abundantly.

The streams of God are filled with water

To provide the people with grain,

For so you have ordained it.

You drench its furrows

And level its ridges;

You soften it with showers

And bless its crops.

You crown the year with your bounty,

And your carts overflow with abundance.

The grasslands of the desert overflow;

The hills are clothed with gladness.

The meadows are covered with flocks

And the valleys are mantled with grain;

They shout for joy and sing.”   Psalm 65:9-13

It summed up most of what I have been hearing and feeling for the past few months! And I felt as though God was highlighting this passage to help me prepare for the coming year.

Though I know increase can come in many ways (not just monetarily), I've also been thinking – I need to learn something about investing, because I know NOTHING about that subject. Luckily, I had a book on my “2015 dream list” I had been inspired to read in light of this new theme: Rich Dad, Poor Dad. I originally heard about it while I was at Bethel’s School of Ministry in Redding, CA. A friend of mine spoke very highly about the book, and even did some consulting and training with their company.  I had very little interest in the book at the time, but I happened to find it at a used bookstore in Tahoe a number of years ago. I bought it for $3, and it’s been collecting dust on my shelf ever since.

I’d already been inspired to pull it out and read it this year. After my God time yesterday (and reading Psalm 65), I was motivated to read it a little sooner than I originally planned. And can I say…it was amazing!!!! I think part of the reason I haven’t read it all these years is because I thought it would be boring. Maybe it is to some…but I could hardly put it down! I started reading the book last night around 8:00 pm. I read until 1:00 am, and finished it today. And I feel like my world is about to change. 

I know I still have a lot to learn about investing, but this book literally brought me so much encouragement and perspective! While I was reading, God gave me a better understanding of how He’s been preparing me for something bigger. I can’t say I know exactly what that “something bigger” looks like, but it helps to look back through time and see a picture coming together. 

It also gave me perspective on my current job – and how it is playing into this bigger picture.  I saw for the first time how a particular “gift” I’ve rejected and pushed away for YEARS can be used for His Glory.  And if I allow Him, He can use my “circumstances” to train me, grow me, and shape me into a beautiful vessel – a vessel designed to carry out my heart’s desire: city and cultural transformation. When life gets hard, I can grumble and complain and throw myself a pity party. Orrrrr….I can choose to focus my gaze on God, and be thankful that His ways and thoughts are higher than mine. He really does have my best interests in mind. He is FOR me, not against me.  He is a wonderful teacher! And sooo much fun! :) I’m excited to see where this new door of opportunity takes me this year!