The Cinderella Hour

In the weeks leading upto this season, I have had the Lord connect to me at precisely 00:00 in the night. This encounter was initiated each night for three consecutive days in a row as I was in worship. I prayed for revelation, friends; and the Lord finally took me to the Cinderella story on the third night.

Awe struck at the King of glory speaking through not just the pages of Scripture, but even a fairy tale; I couldn’t possibly have kept this secret to myself. So here I am, spilling the beans.

What are You saying, Lord?

I found myself seeking Him. Obviously, I was both amused and curious.

The Lord soon after started showing me different aspects of the Cinderella story through Heaven’s perspective. And what has really been etched out in me as a result is the stunning revelation that the Church has crossed over into ‘The Cinderella Hour.’

The midnight hour.

What do I mean?

Let me give this a fair shot, friends.

The Transition and Transformation

Going over the Cinderella story, I realised that it was precisely at the midnight hour -the stroke of midnight – that she was compelled to leave behind the pretense and the facade of the counterfeit reality where she had morphed from the cinders’ girl that she really was into a beautiful princess to appear attractive to the Prince at the city ball. It was a reality that was fake because it was not her true reality.

Evaluating the sense of purification and refinement that the Church as the family of God has been going through, I knew the Lord had me onto something.

We dig. We discover.

So as I dove into the revelation that the Lord was leading me into, what dawned on me was the truth of our own journey of growth and metamorphosis in the seasons past.

What we have had to navigate our way through in the past 18 months or so has been anything but a cake walk. On the contrary, it has felt more like a steep incline, with dangers and toils strategically placed for us on every nook and cranny.

We have all as a result, found ourselves seeking and discovering God for ourselves. The sense of the pre-eminence of Christ in all things has escalated, and anything that would stand in the way has been torn down.

What sought to threaten us has time and time again, been thwarted by the intervening hand of God, and we have through it all, continued to see Him work all things together for our good and His great glory.

In a time where the sense of isolation has been pervasive, we have managed to find our sense of completion, wholeness and security in Christ only – our true home, our firm anchor and our safe refuge.

False constructs of identity imposed upon us by society, culture and the world have been demolished, thereby setting us free to enter into our truest identity as children of God.

Consequently, we have found ourselves transformed into the knowledge of what it really means to be sons and daughters of the King of glory. We have been compelled to trust Him at a whole new level, and He has not disappointed us.

Hope never will – Christ in us, the Hope of glory.

I write all this to say that what I believe the Lord is lovingly revealing is – us.

Yes.

The Revealing

I believe what God is doing is revealing His sons and daughters who having been through hell, fire and storm; have been found not only ‘still standing,’ but successfully having emerged as the ‘shining ones,’ taking on the likeness of their Father more and more, with each passing challenge.

Forgiveness, trust, surrender, humility, wisdom and love have all been tempered and forged into us and we have now hit ‘The Cinderella Hour.’

‘The Cinderella Hour’ is when we begin to truly behold and become the Lion and the Lamb. We know what the battle really is, and we fight accordingly. The Word of God informs us that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood. Our family, friends, co-workers and siblings are notour enemy. The Enemy is our enemy, and therefore we are fighting for our brethren, not against them.

If anything at all, our loved ones are our mission.

The Mission

Our mission is to reach, to love and serve, and to impact our world with the passion of Christ and the love of God. And as Children of God being made into the likeness of His image, this revelation beckons yet another question.

How did the Lord love and serve when He walked the earth in the Person of Jesus?

Like I said earlier – we dig, we discover.

Digging deeper with a shovel in hand, I unearthed some beautiful truth about how He did it. Led into the passage of Scripture where Jesus washes his disciples’ feet, I was deeply touched by the tenderness of the Lord’s compassion and the source of his motivation.

“Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God;
so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”

(John 13:3-5)

A revelation about the Truth of his identity as the Son of God whose Father had put all things under his power, and that he was returning to the realm of glory to be seated at the right hand of God, provoked but one response from Jesus –

He bent down to wash His disciples’ feet.

He washed them all, despite the knowledge that one would betray Him (Judas) and yet another would deny Him (Peter). He went the distance to show them the full extent of His love for them, and did not consider washing their feet too menial or lowly a task. Rather, I believe that Jesus saw it as His mission – to love and serve all whom He was sent to, and therefore, lead with the heart of a servant-king.

As the Sovereign King, He came as the Servant-King.

Pastor Bill Johnson says something that resonates very deeply with the sentiment hidden within this revelation,

“True significance in Christ is never tarnished by servanthood. Rather, it is revealed through servanthood.”

And somewhere I learn the same from Cinderella.

Diving into her story brought forth much gold, friends.

The Reward of the Faithful

Cinderella truly personifies a heart of servanthood during her stay with her evil step mother and step sisters. She remained submitted to the call of God on her life with a pure heart and a clean conscience.

As a result, Cinderella’s humility + obedience + endurance was richly rewarded by God who not only delivered her post the Cinderella hour, causing the Prince from the city ball to find her, locate her and marry her; but also exalted her to a position where Cinderella, on the other side of forgiveness, was instrumental in finding suitable grooms and partners for her step-sisters.

“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
(Matthew 23:12)

There is so much revelation here, friends. But one thing that really stood out to me was this:

The destiny of Cinderella was never thwarted because of seasons of hardship in her life. The opposite is true rather. For in the hands of God, her persecution only served as a platform for her promotion.

In fact, what the enemy meant to disqualify her became the very thing that God used to not only qualify her, but also promote her and enable her to enjoy the fruition of a hope-filled future.

How much more is that true for us then?

Reflecting back on the past 18 months and simultaneously preparing our hearts for what the Lord will do next is an interesting intersection indeed.

Though we may have been through more than we thought we even had the capacity to endure, we made it. God has brought us safely through. We are still standing and going farther with the Lord than we had originally aspired for. That’s Good News!

We have not come this far for nothing. Some of the greatest moves of God, I believe, are right out ahead of us. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, and we who are the Light of the world cannot be hidden – we must be revealed.

And this is where the story gets good.

For the unveiling of Jesus Christ will never be complete without the revealing of His Sons & Daughters. It’s what it means to be the family of God and the household of God. It’s what speaks to our legitimacy as His children. It’s what happens when both, the Bridegroom and the Bride are partnering and preparing together.

Clothed in the glory-garments of righteousness and fully immersed in the consciousness of our truest identity as Sons & Daughters of the King of glory with Heaven as our home, I believe, we have been positioned to be released into the earth to effectively love and serve those that we have been called to.

For such a time as this.

P.S:

I have been writing for nearly 2 years now friends, and this has been the first Prophetic Word that the Lord has given me to share. It is not only a personal revelation for me this season and beyond, but I do believe that it carries some very weighty revelations and truths for all of us as the Body of Christ. I do hope and pray that the Holy Spirit will give you insight as you journey on and not only light up your path, but also light up your world.

For you are the Light of the world and a city on a hill cannot be hidden.

We must be revealed.

Selah.

🕛👑

Greater things

Friends, I am excited.

I can’t help but think about how the coming month of September builds a bridge allowing us to now transition into fall.

The year thus far has been challenging, I admit. But it has also been one that has made me more alive than I ever have been. It has been marked by moments that have called me higher and taken me deeper than I could have imagined. It has not been easy, but it has been worth it.

As I head into what I would like to call a ‘bridge-building’ month, I can’t help but find myself in the tussle between what has been and what will be.

Between the black and white, there are always shades of grey.

As I ponder this, I am reminded that our souls have a tendency to believe that because it has always been a certain way, that’s the only way there is.

But I am discovering that nothing could be further from the Truth.

God is always doing a new thing. Though the scenary may not yet look like what He promised, the Good News is that it doesn’t look like what it did in the seasons past either.

There has been growth, there has been transformation, and there has been refining.

God has been on the move, friends.

In us. Through us. All around us.

But to be able to see clearly, sometimes we just have to be willing to spend some time with Jesus.

Some alone time with Him always helps us to unwind from the pain of what once was so that we have enough space and room in us to receive the new wine that He wants to pour out and pour in.

Being the gentleman that He is, I hear the Lord inviting us to come close. Rapping ever so gently on the door of our hearts and awaiting our response.

So shall we gear up, friend?

Shall we get ready to receive the outpouring of His Spirit?

Shall we leave behind the mess of seasons past so we can lay hold of the prize for which Jesus laid a hold of us?

Shall we lift our hearts in praise and thanksgiving, and let the King of glory enter in?

Shall we let Jesus cleanse our perspective to adjust the way we view God, ourselves and the world around us?

Shall we pour ourselves a cup of coffee as the Lord prepares a table for us and beckons us to dine full?

Shall we, friend?

I don’t know about you, but I love the feel of fall around this time. I love the sense of transition towards the latter part of the year where we can look forward to beautiful things like Advent and Christmas.

But I also know the value of transitioning well. And the one GPS that never fails me is Jesus.

He is my GPS.

He is the God who goes before me and is already sitting in my tomorrows. He knows the path ahead and meets me in the present moment with a Word.

Dropped from His heart into mine.

I call this my ‘heart-to-heart’ with the Lord.

For this is where I get to meet my Father and my Friend. This is where I experience His Love and His Mercy. This is where I enjoy sweet communion and true friendship. This is where I know that He has good plans for my future and good things in store for me.

And not just good things, but greater things.

“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”

(John 14:12, emphasis added)

So as I get ready to take my cup of cappaccino in hand, I lovingly invite you too, friend. I invite you to join me this ‘bridge-building’ month so that as we together get together with Jesus, we can learn to co-operate with the season at hand to do just that –

Build bridges.

With the bricks of love, the mortar of grace and the blocks of forbearance.

In our strength?

No.

But in His?

Yes.

So as I prepare my heart to transition in this time, I know that I may not know a lot but one thing I do know is this. In the kingdom of God, the greater things always begin with doing the next right thing.

For tiny steps of faith in the hands of Jesus always amount to gigantic leaps.

We sit. We stand. We run.

And sometimes, it all starts with a cup of coffee.

My next right thing.

Hand-in-hand with my Saviour, I wait upon Him to lay out the table.

Pinecones, cookies and cappaccino.

And guess what the Good News is?

Everyone’s invited.

You coming?

🙋🏼‍♀️☕🤍

Pleasant bewilderment

Astonishment. Amazement. Awe.

Friends, as I pen this down after a whirlwind of insane happenings the past 11 days, I’m still learning to grow into a fuller revelation of what it means to be pleasantly bewildered.

I wouldn’t say that we need very many spectacular things to know that the season has shifted, and though chaos still ensues, what I’m learning is that the Lord is able to manifest goodness, blessing and favour in the midst of it all.

“Pleasant bewilderment.”

On googling the meaning of the term, “bewilderment,” I was met with the following statement,

“a state of being perplexed or confused.”

I’m sure I am not alone when I say that the past few seasons have come with more than a fair share of trials and traumas. There has been heartache and suffering, pain and brokenness. Unfair situations have kept coming up from time to time, leaving us with one question,

“Is it ever going to get better?”

I have wrestled with this question. I know I have, and perhaps friend, you’ve been there too.

But it is how the Lord meets us in the midst of despair that lifts us up and redefines our journey.

He has been teaching me much, and as I write, I hope that the nuggets I’ve gleaned from His heart serve to help you make sense of your own story and walk with the Lord.

So here goes.

As important as it is to acknowledge our feelings friends, I am learning that we don’t go by them. We are called, “believers” for a reason. Not “feelers.”

I don’t mean to be insensitive, quite the opposite really.

For the truth is that though we may feel the pain and heartache that are an inevitable everyday reality in some shape, way or form; we are not defined by it. We are only defined by Love, for that is our Identity.

It is God-given, and irrevocable.

But we do have a part to play in protecting that which He has given us. So how does that work?

Ahem.

Let’s see.

My feelings should never get in the way of my faith, I believe. Therefore, it is so vital to acknowledge them and process my experiences with the Lord. He does not dismiss my brokenness, so I don’t have to either.

The key lies in not stifling my emotions nor stuffing them away. It lies in not denying nor dodging.

For a humble acceptance of truth goes a long way.

So friends, I’m wondering,

“What if instead of burying that which needs addressing, tending and healing, we slowly learn to do just that? Address, tend and heal?”

For whatever is not revealed cannot be healed.

But whatever is brought out into the open, in the safety and security of God’s presence, can be and will be healed by Him. His Love and Truth are a healing salve that nothing can diminish the potency of.

So what if we started to unpack our backpack in front of the Lord? That which we have been carrying for years now? He delights in getting in the dirt with us. To help us sort and sift through our baggage. To show us what lessons of wisdom to pick up, and what toxic emotions to let go. To empower us to forgive the pain of our past, and to trust Him with the new story of Goodness, Grace and Glory that He is writing for our lives.

Sometimes, it is us who remain hesitant.

However, I do beseech you friend, that regardless of where you are in your own story with Him, you would take the time to get in the dirt with Him. In the safety of His love and presence to receive the healing salve of His love and truth that nothing can diminish the power of.

Not a past that looks worse than a trainwreck, and not even the worst sin you can think of.

Nothing.

For when we bring into the light of His face, everything that holds our hearts hostage to guilt, shame, bitterness, anger and unforgiveness, His mercy meets us, understands us, heals us and shows us the way forward.

Suffice to say, if we are truly going to walk in health and wholeness in the midst of a world that is anything but healthy and whole, then it remains important that our feelings, both good and bad, be acknowledged. It is in that that we truly honor our design, and the value thereof.

It is then that we learn that pain and hope can co-exist. It is not “either-or.” Rather, it is “both-and.”

Sorrow AND celebration. Grieving AND rejoicing. Feelings AND faith.

Hope is at the heart of our faith, and healing is the children’s bread. There is no hope without healing, and there is no healing apart from hope.

For my experience convinces me that they are in fact, two sides of the same coin.

It is when I am emotionally healthy that I am spiritually powerful.

And yes.

It is an everyday journey, a step by step walk with the Lord.

Healing paves the way toward hope.

Though nothing can take away from our Hope that is in Christ, things can certainly threaten to dim our consciousness of it. For anything that is unprocessed is ill-processed, and whatever is ill-processed is under the influence of a lie.

Truth and Love can never be divorced, and neither can Love and Hope.

To protect and cultivate our divine design which is Love, it is important that we know the Truth for it is only the Truth that we know that can set us free. And wherever there is freedom, there is power.

Power to be redeemed, be restored and be pleasantly bewildered.

Not because everything is perfect, but because we are free.

Free to love. Free to heal. Free to have hope.

Hope for a future that though obscure is only safely tucked away within the heart of our Saviour.

Only so that in the fullness of time, we will look back and say,

“He has done everything well.” (Mark 7:37)

Pleasant bewilderment, I’d say.

Tag: Transition

The Cinderella Hour

Greater things

Pleasant bewilderment

In the middle.