I just returned from a short period of rest away from home. In this place of rest, I asked Father God to help me break out from the trappings of this world and hold me in his heart of love. From this place of oneness, I asked him to open my eyes to see truth and teach me how to live from him as my full supply and source of life. Revelation 22:1 gives us a picture of this supply, flowing from the throne of God:
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, flowing with water clear as crystal, continuously pouring out from the throne of God and of the Lamb (TPT).
As I was praying, I saw myself walking in between the past and the future at a point of passing through on what appeared to be an ancient path. On both sides of me were walls of revelation flowing like water. It reminded me of the Red Sea crossing in the Exodus of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. In my spirit, I heard Father God say, “You must be willing to release what was- the disappointments of the past and the ‘what will be’- your preconceived notions of what you think or desire the future to look like. As you untether from both, you will begin to release more of my truth and the revelation flowing from my heart. You will be free to create with me what I am creating and release it into the world around you. This is true surrender- your heart in oneness with my heart.”
I felt like God was showing me such an important concept in avoiding the pitfalls that the enemy sets out for us. We can fall into the ditch of regret or resentment as we hold onto disappointments from our past, or we can fall into the ditch on the other side of the road and try to escape the moment by fantasizing about dreams in the future. Certainly, we all have healing to experience from past hurts. Acknowledging those things to God and allowing him to open our eyes to his perspective can bring the insight we need to learn from our past and grow in the ways God is teaching us. It’s also a beautiful thing to dream with God. However, many times the dreaming is not flowing from God’s heart but from my soul that is wanting to build something apart from the plans of God. The Apostle Paul encourages us in 2 Corinthians 10:5,
We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One (TPT).
The commentary on this verse says that Paul is using the concept of taking prisoners of war, but in this case the prisoners held captive are faulty patterns of thought that defy God’s authority.
Steps in Pursuit:
- Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” This moment with Father, shed new light on this verse in not leaning on my own understanding. My perception can skew his truth. I encourage you to use this verse and recommit to trusting God with your whole heart, even when you don’t understand where he is leading you.
- The following prayer helped me to surrender. You are welcome to use this prayer or form your own prayer of repentance.
Father,
I repent for not trusting you with my whole heart, but have been leaning on my own understanding. I lay down at your feet, my hurts and wounds of the past, which have kept me tethered to the pain and lies of the enemy, which tell me I’m not worthy of the healing and blessings you have for me. I lay down what I believe I want for my future. I surrender my heart to yours.
In Jesus name, amen.
- Practice this week turning to God as your source and supply as needs arise.
Mary, the mother of Jesus gave us an example of beautiful surrender to God’s plans, which she did not understand, when she responded, “I’m the Lord’s servant, may it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38, NIV).
Continue the Pursuit,
Denise
