"Too Long In The Turn"

'Are we stuck?' A couple of months ago, that is what I was wondering. In light of the fact that Jesus said in John 14.12, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also, and greater works than these he will do..." and that Jesus said that we are to be 'salt' and 'light' in this world to our generation, I have to wonder if His present-day church is fulfilling or even developing to fulfill His words and calling and mission in this hour. Most Christians consider the church today to be His 'end-time' or 'last days' church. Many also feel that this last days church or temple shall be greater than the former temple (as recorded in Haggai 2.9). However, I look at the modern-day church, particularly in America, and I have to wonder whether we are actually fulfilling our role in this hour. Now, I am well aware that this is a process, a growth and we are taught that we develop from faith to faith. Nevertheless, so it was, a couple of months ago, I questioned the productive functionality and maturity status and subsequently, the influence of the church in and to our world in this hour. I was and am concerned about our functional role and development. (Any development is and necessitates change). Not seeing much of a healthy influence and change, I then, as aforementioned, wondered--Are we stuck?

It was about three weeks later that a 'funny' thing happened while I was driving. This happened over the course of 3-4 days. It happened during these 3-4 days, last month , about 2-3 times a day. While driving I would turn my blinker on to make a lane change or to enter or exit an access ramp. Now everyone knows that when you make a lane change or get on or off a ramp, you don't make a complete 90 degree turn and, therefore, your turn blinker does not self-cancel or turn itself off, so, you have to do it yourself. Well, I noticed I would be well down the road having long completed my turn and the blinker would still be on (for some reason I just didn't turn it off). It was so suttle, but my attention was drawn to the fact that the blinker was still on only after I had well completed my turn (lane change, etc.) and was well down the road. The funny thing is this happened repeatedly 2-3 times a day over a 3-4 day period. Finally it hit me and I wondered why is this happening, why is my attention repeatedly drawn to my 'still-on' blinker light. It dawned on me there may be 'something' here and so I asked the Lord what, if anything, this meant. The interpretation or message was clear and immediate, very immediate, from the Spirit---"too long in the turn"!
What? It hit me like a lightning bolt. The Lord was speaking through the Holy Spirit ( and my blinker) that His church is "too long in the turn" or taking too long too change, to grow up, to mature, too develop to their desired stature and proper role....to fulfill their destiny in this hour. This goes for all of us.
God has a specific role for His people in and to this world today. Personally, I say what a fantastic and exciting time to live---and yes, too, what a responsibility. Yes, problems are abundant and our enemy is mounting on every front to usurp the world God created and His authority, but only if we let him. In this time, God is trying to shake and stir His people to change (see WatchLine July 4, 2005-"Shaken, But Not Stirred"). God is calling His people to leave behind religiousity and dead works and to come alive and press in to real intimacy in Him. Much change is needed. Our churches need to change in their perspective of practice and purpose. Our worship needs to change from 'ritual routine' to 'heart-felt spontaneity'. Our dependence upon the few to do a lot needs to change---no more 'one-man shows'. Our style of meeting together needs to change from the routine to more Spirit-led body ministry. Our spiritual relationship needs to change from 'outer-court head knowledge' to 'inner-court intimacy'. Our spiritual temperature needs to change and be set on high. We need to leave '90% good-enough' behind and push for '100% fervency' (see WatchLine June 9, 2005-"Jonah at 90%"). We must find the gateway and doors and the keys to the doors that will unlock our apathy and complacency and deliver us from our comfort-zone Chrisitanity to a passionate place in Him that flows and is in focus and continuity with His Spirit and that actually bears fruit. I am speaking to myself (after all, it was my blinker) and all that desire to move and move forward in Him. We need to get past that obstacle and besetting sin that keeps us from being green, productive, worthwhile and 'rich' in His kingdom. (Someone once said, "I would rather be green and growing than ripe and rotting). We need to go from being a sputtering, haphazard, sometimes- on organization to a well-oiled, smooth-running and proficiently well-tuned organism that is alive in and to Him.

This is a transition period and it is getting late. There is still time left. God wants to change His church. He wants His people to make a turn......a turn for the better......a turn towards deeper relationship with better understanding of purpose , more intimacy and more responsibility with influence. It is not enough just to be ok, alright, or even good. God wants us to be great. The world is looking for leadership and they are ripe for it. It is time to transition to position. We are late in the day. Don't be 'too long in the turn.'

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