Word from Father: practicing subjection... don't rush.... My ideas alone

June 12, 2006

Dear Heavenly Father, Here I am. I hear You...

Norma, My child,
I love you.
Rest in Me. Walk in Me. Lean not to your own understanding. Acknowledge me. I do have a wonderful plan for you, but it will happen in My way and My time.
Do not try to rush it. Do not try to hurry folks along. Do not try to "drop suggestions."
To be in subjection means that you are willing - and eager! - to set aside all your own ambitions, desires, hopes, dreams, willing to give them up entirely, let them be crushed and destroyed even, if need be, in order that a greater good - God's good - may grow, slowly move forward, as painfully gradual as the unfolding may seem, until all God's good purposes come together to burst forth in eternal perfection and completeness, for God's glory.

Subjection is laying aside your own glory for the greater glory of God.

It may entail giving up to God all that you hold dear - but the outcome is always infinitely worth it. It is what Paul meant when he wrote, "I count all things loss, that I may gain Christ..."

Be willing to give it all up, My child.
Be willing to do things totally My way.
My ways are truly not your ways and My thoughts are not your thoughts. You do have some great ideas, even "Godly" ideas - but what you need to have are My ideas - alone. You must let Me have complete control of every aspect of your life. You must let go of any opportunities you think that you see to "work" for Me or to "honor" Me. I have plans you have never even dreamed of. I have ways - more often than not, ways that are spurned by the world as foolish, unpleasant, unfulfilling, unsuccessful - that yet will bring together all My children, My family, My church, into the one great glorious body of believers under the headship and Lordship of My precious Son, Jesus Christ.

Yes, you could be a person of influence in "your church." You could "take over" the womens leadership. You could "move things along." But - are you sure that is what I want for you? I do have other women in Abundant Life's body who I have also been preparing for works of mercy and grace - and leadership.

I know.
You are anxious. You want My work to quickly and effectively "go ahead." You see that I have been preparing you for service, yes, servant ministry, Child. Ministry in subjection to My will, My place, My time.

Dear Child,
My plans are never disappointing. Yes, they are humbling you, they require lowliness of position in the eyes of the world - and in the eyes of the "church," more often than not. Remember what ___ said to you about the quiet ones often having the most important ministries. Read again your message from my Micaiah servant: "You're always so quiet - it's so often that those who are quiet are the most active in ministry - in ways that no one but God sees, but that are most effective of all (I'm reminded of the life of 'Praying Hyde.')"

Slow down, Child. Be quiet, and patient, and practice being subject to Me - and to your husband, and to the church leadership, and all. Be subject, too, to your parents. Just love them, and please them in this difficult time. You have asked me to have mercy on them, and encourage them, and to answer your dad's prayers for his family. Do You not see that I am answering those prayers by giving you the opportunity to live out My mercy and grace before them and to them?

Yes, it is "too much" for you alone. But you are never alone. I am always with you. And My strength is made perfect in your weakness. I need you right now for things that seem "small" in the eyes of the world.

But they are great and glorious things in My economy, in My eternal, perfect purposes.

My purposes always prevail. But how much more glorious it is when My children allow Me to lead them in the way I would have them go, right from the start.

Can you do that for Me? Will you? Will you will to follow My will, My ways, My thoughts? Will you accept My will as yours, give up all that you will, hope, dream; and become wrapped, enveloped, fulfilled in Me?

Walk My path, Child - Trust Me completely, fully, no matter what. And I will direct your paths. (And fulfill your dreams - My dreams that are infinitely greater and more wonderful and perfect and of eternal consequence than any mere human dream, will become your dreams, too, and I will confirm and fulfill them).

Yes, Child, I love you. You are Mine. As you walk subject to Me, You will also walk worthy of Me. It is what you want, what you long for, what only I can provide. Accept it, Child. Unreservedly.

"All for Jesus... days and hours... hopes and dreams... life, death, eternity... all".


Amen. Thank You, Lord. Amen. Okay.