Preparation in Arabia

After we retired from military service, the Lord had us sell or give away everything we owned with the exception of a few odds and ends. Not only did He separate us from our stuff, He removed our deep dependency on the military and the way of life we had become accustom to over nearly 30 years of service.

Why…because He wanted us to know that He was our source for all things. Yes, the world offers us much and, for the most part, our Father uses the world to supply our needs. However, He is the conductor of our symphony.

It was hard at first, but we learned how to live outside of the structured life we embraced for many years. What we found was this wonderful thing called life after the military. I thought I had lived a fairly interesting life to that point…I had no idea how good it could be.

I have found every season in our life serves a purpose. When things change, and they will, we must go to the Father and ask what purpose that season serves.

Ecclesiastics 3:1-7
1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

Blessings

Preparation in Arabia
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman

“Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus” (Galatians 1:17).

The apostle Paul clearly understood the call Jesus placed on his life at his conversion. He did not have to consult other men about this calling. But before he was released to begin his own mission, He went to Arabia for three years. Why did Paul have to go to Arabia for three years before he ever met another disciple of Jesus Christ?

The Scripture does not tell us plainly why Paul spent three years in Arabia. However, based upon many examples of God placing special callings on people’s lives, we know it often requires a time of separation between the old life and the new life. No doubt, Paul had plenty of time to consider what had taken place in his life and time to develop an intimate knowledge and relationship with the newfound Savior. His life was about to change dramatically.

So often, when God places a call on one of His children, it requires a separation between the old life and the new life. There is a time of being away from the old in order to prepare the heart for what is coming. It can be a painful and difficult separation. Joseph was separated from his family. Jacob was sent to live with his uncle Laban. Moses was sent to the desert.

Perhaps God has placed you in your own desert period. Perhaps you cannot make sense of the situation in which you find yourself. If you press into God during this time, He will reveal the purposes He has for you. The key is pressing into Him. Seek Him with a whole heart and He will be found. God may have a special calling and message He is building in your life right now. Trust in His love for you that He will fully complete the work He has started in you.