It has been quite a while since I last posted. Life has gotten faster and busier – something
I was not certain was possible. This
year feels as though it was only six months long.
In some ways, that is a good thing, for there are things
about this year I could have lived without.
Yet at the same time, there are things about this year that are so
precious that I will carry them in my heart forever.
These final hours of 2012 find me in the city of Vijayawada, in the
state of Andhra Pradesh, India.
The past
hours have been a blur, starting with a departure from Savannah on December 28,
an arrival in Hyderabad on Sunday at 6:45 a.m. which allowed mw to arrive in
time to enjoy the fellowship of believers at two services – one at 9:00 a.m.
and another at noon. Before the day was
over, I was aboard a train for the overnight journey to Vijayawada, where in a
few moments (as of the time of this writing) I will spend the last hours of
this year with friends and Christian family here.
I offer this simply because the last hours of this year seem
to represent the pace of the entire year…sort of a tribute to all that has
occurred. It has caused me to consider,
what has really occurred this year. One thought that has stood out in my mind
is this: “Do not mistake action for accomplishment.” I spent most of today
pondering that thought – has my year of action been a year of accomplishment?
For family? For ministry? For me, personally?
I believe it has.
I looked back to things spoken over my life and over the
life of our family at Connection Church by Apostle John Kelly at the start of
this year. He prophesied that 2012 would be a year in which we would “come into
our own” in a different way. In short, we would be like David, as he
transitioned from the shepherd to the warrior.
He stated that 2012 produce a paradigm shift – that we would embrace a “new
style”, particularly with regard to how we stand and how we fight. He stated that this would be a year of
discovery. It would be a year where we would develop the ability to become
rapid change agents. And, while we would be continuing to train, this year
would be not about what happens to us, but rather, what we would do. 2012 would
also be a year wherein we would become united to be ignited.
In retrospect, this prophecy has proven to be accurate. We
have experienced much activity, but that activity has produced results – in our
individual lives and in the lives of the community and the world we touch. We have different footing on different
ground. Like David, we have transitioned out of the pasture and into the
battlefield.
In the pasture, there is
solace. You have to be watchful because the lions and bears invade the
territory, but by and large, there is a peaceful atmosphere. However, on the battlefield, there is constant
engagement – the lions and bears are now armed and armored, and they fight with
a vengeance. The battles are fiercer and
come faster. Yet, in the midst of the battle, there is the greater peace that
is discovered when fulfilling God’s purpose in our lives. Sure, the carnal side cries out for
tranquility, but the fighter in me yells, “Who’s next!!!”
There is something to
be said for becoming a peacemaker, and that is what God is developing us to be.
Peacemakers do not compromise and negotiate terms for the
sake of solace. Peacemakers look to
those things that violate God’s word and bring war against them – drawing them
into captivity. They create an atmosphere
of righteousness, wherein true peace – internally and externally - can be found.
Peacemakers recognize that life and death
exist
simultaneously in the tongue.
They know
that every time they speak, something comes to life while something else is put
to death. By example, as you lift
someone up, the belief in the value of their existence comes alive, while
simultaneously, the belief that they have no value is put to death. The more
positive you bring forth in your life, the more the negative is sacrificed and
put to death.
2012 was wrought with challenges, yet these challenges have
proven to bring the battles that force the hard decisions – and forced people
to choose life, not merely embrace it.
2013 will be better – for we are stronger. We must be more determined to fight, to win, and
to stand in alignment with God’s Word and purpose. We must work to establish true
peace in our lives and in the
lives of those we influence.
Be strong and of good courage. Know that all things work
together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His
purpose. Know that you are victorious – that the righteous are never forsaken
and their seed does not beg for bread.
And have a happy and prosperous New Year!
Blessings,
Timothy
