Isaiah 37:30
30 “This shall be a sign to you: You shall eat this year such as grows of itself, And the second year what springs from the same;
Also, in the third-year sow and reap, plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them.
A believer in Christ I believe has three seasons in his or her spiritual walk. I am of the conviction that for us to go forward in the Lord we all have to go through these three stages in our walk.
My study of the life of Moses brought these to light. Moses was raised and lived in a palace for 40 years (season 1), in the wilderness for 40 years (season 2), and led the Israelites for 40 years (season 3).
21 years ago, in my time in the Bible school, one of my lecturers told us a story about his three daughters that has remained with me for years. He had three daughters. The youngest was ever running ahead of him, very independent. The middle one had a habit of dragging her feet behind, bored with everything around her. However, the eldest would hold her father’s hand chatting, asking questions and keeping step with her dad.
Having meditated on this illustration for years, a picture began to emerge and Moses became my study. Moses’ early years was full of excitement, enthusiasm, and energy. Just like most believers the first season in our Christian walk is when we have just given our lives to Christ, we do not stop preaching, evangelising, attending meetings, praying for the sick. We are full of life, zeal and passion. Like the youngest daughter we are always enthusiastic about the things of God.
Exodus 2:15
15 When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh and dwelt in the land of Midian; and he sat down by a well.
The second season of our Christian walk is that wilderness experience, when God seems so far away or far removed from our lives. This is the season when we feel we have done everything that needs to be done. We are no more excited about our Christianity, everything becomes boring. We still go to church, and still do everything we will normally do but there is no more passion.
This season in most cases, like Moses season, is when we feel betrayed, hurt and disappointed by other Christians. It is a time we feel that God is not responding to our prayers or needs, the honeymoon period seems over.
Like Moses we run away from everything, we stop praying, we stop seeking God, we become very critical. We begin to doubt God and doubt ourselves. We like the younger daughter in my earlier story drag our feet and come from behind.
However, this is the most critical season in our Christian walk. It should be a time of waiting, a time of seeking God, a time to pour out one’s heart to God and time to love Him. Every Christian will go the way of the wilderness.
Isaiah 40:29-31
29 He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall,
31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
The third season is that season when we encounter God again, because we have waited. A time when we begin to serve and not wait to be served. Moses third season was a season of encounter with God.
Scripture tells us that in the wilderness whilst Moses was busy with his supposed mundane duties, God appeared to him.
Exodus 3:4-5
4 So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!”
And he said, “Here I am.”
5 Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” 6 Moreover He said, “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.
On this day, when Moses least expected, God showed. It is also true in our walk with God, that when we least expect, when it feels as though we have come to the end of the rope, He shows up for an encounter with us. That encounter is always to take us forward from the mundane to a deeper spiritual walk with Him.
This was the season when he was ready to serve and not be served, a season of complete dependency on God.
A season of walking hand in hand with God, a season when they spoke together and Moses obeyed.
A season when our passion returns but harnessed in God rather the flesh.
A season when God’s presence was all Moses longed for.
Moses third season was the season of progression, a season when he was called out to lead and go forward in God.
In Numbers 12:8 the Lord said this about Moses
I speak with him face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you unafraid to speak against My servant Moses?"
Our third season as Christians is the most wonderful season. A time of maturity, it is that season when we walk hand in hand with God, it is that season when we wait on Him to instruct us. A season when we allow Him to speak and we respond and obey.
I don’t know what season you are at, but what ever season, allow the Holy Spirit to guide and carry you through it with grace.
God is calling us to GO FORWARD in Him.
Praise the Lord.
