Moving forward: understanding the process

As 2018 continues to unfold, we recognize that as members of the Body of Christ, we are ever in transition, individually and corporately, moving from faith to faith, glory to glory, and victory to victory. In thinking about this reality, I recall a made statement by Dr. Tom Edwards during his workshop series “Moving My Life Forward” which serves as the Quote of the Day for January 13, 2018:

“Every great assignment and destiny requires transition”:

Dr. Edwards went on to define transition as ‘”a passage, development or movement from one state, condition, phase, or place to another . . . a period of instability proceeded by and followed by a period of instability.” The in-between time can be painful and completely black at times and you cannot see where you are going , but you are pressing toward your destination, the place of your destiny.

The transitional period we are all experiencing is related to the three stages leading to the ultimate fulfiling of the promise of God or a word of the Lord that we have heard. Dr. Edwards notes that the first stage involves hearing and receiving a promise while the second stage indicates the process, the refining or finishing stage that we must not only endure but come to embrace before we reach the third stage: the prize. The poet proclaims: “You’ve got to go through to get to the prize.”

Here is a poetic description of the second stage:

The Process

“When everything that can be shaken is being shaken,

we must acknowledge the process . . . trust the process. . .

embrace the process. . . and enjoy the process.”

Dr. Mark Chironna

 

My brethren, count it all joy
when you fall into various trials,

James 1:2

 

“When everything that can be shaken is being shaken,

 we must  acknowledge the process … trust the process…

 embrace the process…and enjoy the process.”

Dr. Mark Chironna

 

My brethren, count it all joy

 when you fall into various trials,

James 1:2

  

What we perceive as failure, God sees as success.

In peace and confidence we know that we will find

Understanding that reveals what God had in mind.

As we pursue truth, we acknowledge the process.

Though adversity seeks to hinder our progress,

Though we may be shaken to the depths of our soul,

If we refuse to give up, we will be made whole.

Because our God is faithful, we trust the process.

God’s heart of compassion forever seeks to bless.

We no longer wrestle but surrender—we yield.

As strong soldiers, we vow to stay on the battlefield.

Though we would shun it, we embrace the process.

Our gracious God is good, despite the strain and stress;

Resting in the Lord, we now enjoy the process.

During this most painful period of transition, many questions may arise: “What is going on?” Why is this happening to me when I am right at the point of my breakthrough?” “Why me?” “Why now?” We may question God and ask “What are you doing?” Our question should be “Father, what are you trying to teach me?” We must learn to echo the sentiments of the Psalmist who declares:

Psalm 119:71

It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.

These lyrics also express the song of our heart:

It is good for me that I have been afflicted;
That I might learn Your statutes,
To walk in Your precepts,
To keep Your commandments,
To follow as You teach me.
It is good for me. It is good for me.
It is good for me. It is good.
I have learned to love Your Word and Your ways.

We recognize that God is good, and that all things work together for the good for those who love God and who are called according to His purpose. While we are going through the process, it may not feel good, but it is good for us, working together for our good.

We close with this musical exhortation: “Moving Forward”—Israel Houghton:

Tags: James 1:2, Moving Forward, The Process, transitions