從2022進入2023及以後的年日
作者：內特-約翰斯頓 Nate Johnston
來源：內特-約翰斯頓臉書
時間：2022.12.19
翻譯：Kate
轉載/轉寄 請註明出處：國度禱告網
2022年是你必須死才能活的一年。這是一場火的考驗，除了新的一天來臨所需要的東西，什麼都沒有留下。你不僅僅是離開舊皮袋，它必須從你的心、思想和魂中剝離出舊皮袋，並留在你身後的泥土中。這一年，你的意志必須打破並降服於祂，你的夢想、目標和理想被交出，以便你有能力得到祂的夢想和願景。在2022年裡，事工的金牛必須連同它的偶像和噱頭一起被公開燒毀，為單單以耶穌為獎賞的人開道路。舊的、不真實的東西過期了，以迦博教會正在呼吸它的最後一口氣。
2022年是信心受到考驗的一年。許多期待榮耀勝利的先鋒發現自己正處於為應許和實現與悲痛的盼望延遲之間的巨大差距的激烈爭戰中，這種爭戰已經開始在他們的心中紮根。在2022年裡，聖靈的眼睛注視著祂的子民，看誰會降服於文化和快速舒適的簡單方法，或者誰會站起來面對最黑暗的反對時刻。箭矢飛來，像雨點一樣充滿天空。自義的人的話語震耳欲聾，而他們的受害者卻血淋淋地躺在石頭的廢墟下。妥協的教會變得更加響亮，可悲的是有很多錯誤的原因。
但在沉默中，在心深處的悔改、謙卑和甦醒的繭中，孵化出一個選擇通往上帝之心的狹路的子民。一個在與自己的懷疑、恐懼和損失爭戰的過程中選擇留在祂的腳下並度過風暴的子民。這些人選擇了不受歡迎的道路，並為去聖靈要去的地方付出代價。他們是那些在大多數人走開的時候站在十字路口爭辯的人，在大多數人退縮的時候把他們所有的籌碼放在桌子上。他們是那些經火的人，現在走起路來一瘸一拐，但卻流淌著上帝的油。
這是完全信靠的一年，雖然事情還沒有結果，但門從未感覺如此接近。這是一個扣人心弦的時刻，我們不得不選擇堅持，看起來很瘋狂，或者放手，安定下來。一年來，我們的生活一團糟，鴨子亂了陣腳。情緒飛揚，創傷浮現，但也有大量的醫治。這是釋放的一年，在這一年裡，清理工作一開始是刺痛的，但在炎熱的曠野中待了幾周後，卻像一杯清涼的飲料一樣受到歡迎。心靈是沉重和擁擠的，天父的愛已準備好要傾瀉出來。
這一年來，徘徊和滋生的邪惡浮出水面。心和動機暴露無遺。草裡的蛇被趕出法庭。王國、國王和王后震動，帝國衰落，守衛者更迭。升職、降職和王朝改革。這一年，產業的誕生和家庭的醫治，任務的轉移，以及永恆的回歸。這一年，協議破裂，與魔鬼的協議離婚，國家開始回歸。
這一年是換油和必要的停歇和重新定向的一年。在這一年裡，負擔開始像蒼蠅紛紛落下，流浪的傷口得到了照顧。在這一年裡，時間靜止了，給了人們時間來最終清空和整修。在這一年裡，先鋒們需要從空中的拼圖碎片中得到休息，並處理破碎的期望。這是一個大門突然關閉、繁文縟節和意外結果的時期，促使我們起來。
然而，在迷茫和更大的未知中，我們已經被鍛造。在意外的停頓中，我們得到了重生。有一種甦醒和復活，這是無法買到或製造的。
這是大謙卑和最大的設置的一年。基甸的軍隊下到水邊喝水的那一年。這一年的分崩離析，在新發現的恩膏、聲音和目的的新裝束中結束。這一年，瞎子開了眼，被擄的得自由。在這一年裡，尋求者成為門徒，被拋棄者接過火炬，帶領大家前進。在這一年裡，我們周圍的火焰變成了我們體內的熊熊烈火，我們將帶著這些運動進入2023年及以後的年歲。
Nate Johnston
2022 was the year you had to die to live. It was the trial by fire that left NOTHING except what was needed for the new day dawning. You didn’t just leave the old wineskin, it had to be stripped from your heart, mind, and soul, and left in the dirt behind you. It was a year of your will having to break and bend to His, and your dreams, goals, and ideals surrendered so you had the capacity to be given His dreams and vision. It was the year where the golden calf of ministry had to be barbecued publicly along with its idols and gimmicks to make way for a people whose only reward is Jesus. The old and inauthentic expired and the iChabod church is breathing it’s last breath.
2022 was the year where faith was tested. Many pioneers looking for a glorious triumph found themselves in the thick of battle over the promise and the great disparity between fulfillment and the grievous hope deferred that was beginning to entrench their hearts. It was a year where the eyes of the Holy Spirit brooded over his people to see who would cave into culture and the easy way out into quick comforts or who would stand and face the darkest hour of opposition. Arrows flew and filled the sky like rain. Words of the self righteous were deafening while their victims laid bloodied under a rubble of stones. The compromised church become louder and sadly much for the wrong reasons.
But in the silence and cocoon of deep heart repentance, humility, and awakening incubated a people who chose the narrow road to Gods heart. A people who in the midst of battling their own doubts, fears, and losses chose to stay at His feet and ride out the storm. A people who chose the unpopular road and paid the cost to go where Holy Spirit is going. They are the ones who have stood on the crossover and contended when most walked away, and have put all their chips on the table when most were bunkering down. They are the ones who have walked through fire and now walk with a limp but flow with the oil of Gods presence.
It’s been a year of blind trust when things haven’t yet come to fruition but the door has never felt so close. It’s been the buckle and break moments where we have had to choose to hold on and look crazy or let go and settle. A year of mess and ducks out of order. Emotions flying, trauma surfacing, and yet healing in abundance. It’s been a year of deliverance where the purging came at first with a sting but then welcomed like a cool drink after weeks in the hot desert. Hearts were heavy and congested and the Fathers affection was ready to be poured out.
It’s been a year of evil that has lingered and thrived surfacing. Hearts and motives revealed. Snakes in the grass being chased out of the courts. Kingdoms, kings and queens shaking, empires falling, and the changing of the guard. Promotions, demotions, and dynastic reformation. A year of legacy birthing and families healing, assignments shifting, and eternity coming back into view. A year of contracts breaking, demonic agreements divorcing, and nations beginning their returning.
It’s been a year for the the oil change and the necessary pit stop and redirection. A then where burdens began falling like flies and nomadic wounds were attended to. A time where time stood still and gave hearts time to finally be emptied and refurbished. It’s been a year where pioneers needed rest from the puzzle pieces up in the air, and dealing with broken expectations. A time of sudden doors closing, red tape, and unexpected outcomes that drove us to His feet.
Yet in the limbo and greater unknown we have been forged. In the unexpected hiatus we have been reborn. There’s been an awakening and a resurrection that can’t be bought or manufactured.
It was the year of the great humbling and the greatest setup. The year of Gideon’s men going down to the waters to drink. A year of falling apart that is ending in the fresh mantling of a newfound anointing, voice, and purpose. A year of the opening of the eyes to the blind and the setting free of the captives. A year where seekers became disciples, and outcasts took the torch to lead the charge. A year where the fire around us, became the raging fire inside of us, and the catching movements we will carry with us into 2023 and beyond.