1 Corinthians 15:51 - Pitching Tents

Step 1: Pray. Select.  

I must admit, this week has not gone according to plan. No matter what I had on my agenda for the day, God clearly had something else in mind. Rather than fight it, I have decided to sit back and trust that he knows what is best for me and my family.

As I sat outside on the patio today to meditate on his words, a few quotes came to mind. The first quote is a spinoff from an old Yiddish proverb spoken by Woody Allen, "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans." The other quote was from John Steinbeck's beloved novel, Of Mice and Men, "The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry." Both made me chuckle at the ridiculousness of the thought that I was ever in control of the week or even the day or moment ahead.

I thought back about a time when I was talking amongst friends, and our conclusion of how to respond to change or pivots in life was to sit back, buckle up, and get comfortable in the uncomfortable.

I researched scriptures on remaining peaceful through change, and one stood out to me: 1 Corinthians 15:51. So, I thought that would be a perfect place to land for today.

Step 2: Write. Read. Circle

1 Corinthians 15:51 - Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed -

After reading the scripture three times, the following words stood out:

• I Tell You A Mystery

• We Shall All Be Changed

Step 3: Re-Write

Adding my name to the front and with a focus on the words that stood out, here is the sentence(s) I came up with for today:

• Jennifer, I tell you a mystery: we shall all be changed.

Step 4: Visualize

I closed my eyes and saw myself in a tent, almost teepee-like. I was younger than I was now and in simple clothing made of animal skins. I was kneeling at an altar in my tent, which consisted of a simple grey flat stone on top of a rock. It was just me in this place, and it felt like home, but seeing that it was a tent, I knew this place was temporary.

As I think about the sentence the Holy Spirit gave me, I have to admit I feel slightly frustrated and dismayed. It is so direct, with no sugar coating, and basically confirms that I shouldn't get too comfortable in this place. I might be moving soon. Change is coming.

A few words start to flood my mind: pitching tents, survival, transition, and finally, metamorphosis.

I sit and think about pitching tents. Tents are not permanent, but inside, God will tabernacle with us wherever we are. However, no matter where we travel, this place is not a place of rest but a place of covenant to die at the altar every day so I do not get attached to the things of this world.

If I take everything I have encountered in a day to God, ask God to remove anything I have picked up that is not relevant to where I am going, and then go to bed at night, and while I sleep, he burns off the things I am not supposed to carry, basically offering myself as a clean vessel to be filled with his will for my life in the morning, I wonder what life would be like.

I am starting to understand that weeping, laying my pain, concern, anguish, or worry at night on the altar, is necessary for joy to fill me up in the morning. I have always thought about getting up earlier to pray more or not rush my day, but what if I hand over my concerns to the LORD at night so I can sleep while the watchman takes over, so my foot will not stumble in the morning.

For some reason, the Holy Spirit is prompting me to remember Psalms 121: 1-8, A Song of Ascents, so I look it up.

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?

2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;

4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life;

8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Today, he asks me and everyone who reads this to meditate and memorize Psalms 121 alone. I have a question for the Holy Spirit.

Step 5: Ask. Seek

The main question(s) that came to mind were:

• Holy Spirit, what is the most effective way to apply Psalms 121?

Step 6: Hear. Write. Receive

Holy Spirit, what is the most effective way to apply Psalms 121?

"Meditate on this scripture to recite it at night before you go to bed. I can do things while you sleep that have not been revealed to you in waking. This will shift your perspective to wake up cleansed for the day and have peace in the pivot since I will prepare you for the journey ahead. You are faithful as commanded in Ezekial's message and providing instruction for those who will hear this warning. Take covering in your tents; the world is changing, and you must be ready to pivot to stay aligned with God's will. Be strong and very courageous and know the LORD is with you."

Step 7: Pray. Confirm

I will send this passage to my two witnesses today and make sure the three of us pray it at night. I don't know for how long, but right now, the Holy Spirit is asking me to memorize and recite it. Sometimes, the simplest of instructions can seem so trivial. However, if you read the blog from yesterday, I will go with what God sets in front of me and know he has good plans.

If you used the scripture of the day and need prayer or someone to pray with you, connect Here. Remember, you are not alone

Step 8: Share. Testify

If you workshopped any of the verses mentioned above using the 8-Step Prayer Practice, we would love to hear from you in the comments below about what the Holy Spirit showed or spoke to you today.

Don't forget to Spread hope and share HERE if you have a miracle or testimony. We want to see how God is working in your life!

Conclusion:

Be prepared to pivot.

Lay your day woes at the altar at night, and let the LORD watch over you, preparing you for the day ahead.

Don't get too attached to anything in the world; instead,focus on entering the tabernacle with God day and night, using Psalms 121 as a starting point.

Read, memorize and recite Psalms 121 before you sleep.

I look forward to hearing how God shifts all our perspectives as we prepare the night before for what God has in store for us in the morning.

Stay safe in God's covering, expect to pivot towards God's will, and may your day be blessed!