Out of Obscurity and Into Purpose

29 Dec Out of Obscurity and Into Purpose

I heard the phrase “Out of obscurity and into purpose,” and then I went into a vision. I saw the Lord as the head banker at a large bank on Main Street. The purpose of this bank was to hand out microloans to those that visited the branch. Many of the ones that visited this branch had first gone to all of the “big box” banks but were denied loans to fulfill their dreams. The Lord’s bank on Main Street required no experience or credentials in order to receive a loan, just a dream and the passion to pursue it.

In the vision, the “big box” banks represent the large traditional churches, doing things in standard form. The Lord’s bank on Main Street represents smaller groups of people not held up or tied down by the red tape of programs and traditions. These believers are not necessarily leaving or disconnecting from larger churches, but they are actively connecting within covenantal communities and finding the freedom to walk in their identity and withdraw from their heavenly bank accounts for the purpose of fulfilling their God-given dreams. They’ve been storing up for themselves treasures in heaven that cannot be stolen and never rust, decay or lose their value. (Matthew 6:20) And now, these seekers are coming out of obscurity and into purpose.

Covenantal Collectives

In this season, God is calling us to join together in simple unions of the spiritually hungry who share one common purpose and goal: to encounter God and expand the Kingdom. These small communities don’t possess aspirations to become or replace the megachurch. Their aspirations are on mirroring the Book of Acts Church. They are coming together in humility and transparency to engage in prayer, study the word, eat together, and share of what they own. They are holding one another accountable to live in the presence and walk in power. (Acts 2:33-37, 41-47)

These covenantal collectives are responding to the Lord’s invitation to live out Jeremiah 33:3, “Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” In their seeking and calling upon Him from a deep place of longing and devotion, and there, encountering more Him and entering into new levels of revelation.

Renewing Prophetic Trumpets

I then began to see these simple churches maturing into regional prophetic communities. They started popping up as golden lanterns all across the United States and beyond. These relational prophetic communities are being formed for unity, accountability, releasing the testimony of Jesus, and the cultivating of the Spirit of prophecy.

I further discerned much of the leadership within these collectives to be relationally-hungry millennials intentional about honoring and involving prophetic mothers and fathers in the faith. Their seasoned wisdom and guidance is highly valued and they are playing a big role in helping to steward the hearts and destinies of younger prophets.

The Lord also showed me that in the same manner in which a trumpet player needs to clean and oil his trumpet in order for it to function properly and at optimum levels, Holy Spirit is moving among these covenantal communities to clean out the gunk that’s accumulated in the hearts of these prophets over time has been due to rejection, negative judgments and warfare in past seasons. As He cleans and purges, He is pouring the oil of His presence and increasing their capacity for love—to abide in and live out of the place of perfect, fearless love. “There is renewal coming to My prophetic trumpets. There sound will be heard loud and clear. I will use them to summon and gather the church in the place of My presence.”

But You have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox; I have been anointed with fresh oil. (Psalm 92:10 NASB)

Moving From Obscurity Into Purpose:

• Do you feel heavy-hearted in this season? Spend time each day in worship. Let His Word of truth and His healing love wash over you, dispel rejection, cast out fear, restore hope, and set your heart at peace. Let your trumpet be renewed!
• Open your eyes to see whom has God brought into your life in this season. Whom may the Lord want you to draw closer to? Which covenantal community He is calling you into? What other shifts could God be bringing you into? (new assignments, geographic moves, etc.)
• To navigate transition well, fully surrender it all to Him daily and let yourself be led by His Spirit every step of the way. He will show you what is for you and when to take hold of it. “Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.” (Isaiah 30:21)
• It’s time to dream again! Invite Holy Spirit to awaken dreams gone dormant. Revisit old journal entries. Pull out those old plans. Come to Him over and over again, each time withdrawing from the Lord’s bank what you need for the fulfillment of your dreams.