Author Melissa Ewell Miller
September 11, 2011
A definite shift as taken place in the spirit realm. This shift has created a change in our spiritual foundation - a new step, a higher level that wasn't there before. This shift marks an elevation in the lives of those who've been appointed to go higher in this season. In the spirit this looks like a chunk of concrete that has been raised up about a foot higher than the surrounding ground. The problem is some of these people who God is moving up have one foot on the new, higher level and the other foot on the old, lower ground. They are stuck in transition – stuck between the old and the new, uncertain about moving forward while struggling with leaving the past behind. They feel the shifting, but they’re struggling with the release.
God says, "It's time to make a decision to let go of the old, embrace the new and Come Up Higher. For I have need of you – to tap into your gifts and draw from your anointing. I need to make a withdrawal from the investments I’ve made in your life over the years. As you step up, you will begin to experience broader dimensions of anointing, ministry and manifestations of my power and glory. There are impartations of grace and greater depths of wisdom awaiting you as you move to this next level. Much of these impartations will come as you seek me and some will come as you move into the midst of those who are operating at this higher level.”
Yes, this is your season, but to experience all this, you've got to take that step and move on up, firmly planting both feet where God has ordained you to walk - fully accepting this promotion and all that it entails.
In order to do this, you’ve got to release those attitudes, ideas and fears that have held you back and release those people who are not ready or able to move with you. You can see the new level and you desire to go there, but you keep looking back at the place where you were, longing to be in that comfort zone where your old friends and spiritual buddies reside. But you can’t stay there. You will no longer feel comfortable there because the shift has occurred. You can no longer hang out in those places of passionless mediocrity while secretly crying out for change in your prayer closet. That place of mediocrity will never change, because it’s a breeding ground for compromise, complacency and disobedience. It’s the place where half-hearted commitments, people pleasing and serving the flesh are acceptable and business as usual.
But because you have desired more of God, you required more of yourself, and God has changed you in the midst of that tainted environment. He’s heard your cries and He’s seen your obedience. He’s honored by your sacrifices and He’s responding by moving you to a level where you can now flow in efficiency and effectiveness without the hindrances that once held you back.
But know this: Understand that the sacrifice you made to get to this next level is now the new normal for you. As you answered the Lord’s call and set yourself at His feet, you entered into a season of separation in which you turned down your plate, turned off the TV and the phone and spent time pressing into the presence of God to seek His face and not just His hand. This prayer commitment, to seek this deeper level of intimacy with the King of Kings, was once a sacrifice, but now it must become a lifestyle because this is what it will take to maintain this new level of sensitivity and intensity. In short, to whom much is given, much is required so it’s necessary that you count the cost of what this will require of you as you step up to this new level.
Therefore, this day marks a day of decision for you. What will you do? Which will you choose? The Father is awaiting your answer.
“I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:"
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”
