Crossing Over or Going in Circles?
I have a pretty good sense of direction. Being proud of that, I can never admit to being lost.
Simply, I will tell you I found a new way to get somewhere. But nope, not lost. Not me!
But something happened while I was crossing over from the last season. I can’t explain it exactly, but I just couldn’t find my way back to Godsip.
This is my attempt to apologize, explain, and start over. We are in a new season, indeed.
Crossing over can be difficult, but today is a small victory in getting back to words and saying, “Hey! Sorry! I’m back . I got lost.”
Call it what you will. Lost or redirected, the fact is, I’ve been missing. Hopefully, you’ll forgive me. And I pray I haven’t lost you in the process. I have some important words to share with you from this time of crossing over.
Our question today is this – Are we crossing over or going in circles?
In Joshua 3, the priests were carrying the covenant . Carrying the Ark of His Presence and crossing over and through the waters; the priests walked in obedience, and under the faith and direction of Joshua.
Without his direction, they would not have made it. Yet, they did as Joshua commanded and saw the miracle of parted waters. The way opened up before them.
“And the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses. Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’” Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God,” Joshua 3:7-9.
The key in this phase of the journey was to ‘stand still’ in the water. Listen, Step in and Wait.
In our times of crossing over, we may easily overlook the necessity of ‘standing still’ and waiting on the LORD to do the work for us.
This most important piece is the very act that gives Him glory in our situation. Our temptations to charge ahead or to not step in at all are both acts of the will working against the direction of God and His desire to display His glory and show His goodness toward us.
In Isaiah 22:22, the connection begins to be revealed.
“The Key of the House of David I will lay on his shoulder; so he shall open and no one shall shut, and he shall shut and no one shall open.”
We find in Isaiah 9:6 this reference to Christ.
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder. And his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty of God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”
As Holy Spirit led me through these scriptures, He showed me the change has been made IN Him, as WE are the KEY (with HIM) of the house of David.
He opens what no one can shut by parting the waters before us just as He did then. As He carries us, we are also In Him, in the Ark, being carried across RESTING on HIS shoulders!
We no longer need the priests carrying His Presence before us, for He Himself has become our High Priest;
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:19-20 (NIV).
…. and it is Jesus who carries us over In the ARK of HIS Own Presence.
As we are RESTING ON HIS shoulders, we are easily carried across. We are governing With Him, carried By Him, and resting IN Him.
According to Jesus in John 17:20-23, it has been done in this way,
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in Me and I AM in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent Me. I have given them the glory that you gave Me, that they may be one as we are one — I in them and you in Me — so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved Me.”
In becoming one with God in Christ, we are IN the Ark with Him forever. What could be more glorious than this?
He wants it known to the world, this is our unity, IN CHRIST. His love is for all. His desire is that we all become one with God, in Christ. trusting Him in complete rest.
I pray that as you are crossing over into this new season, you rest in Him and let Him carry you through. Praise God, we are one with Him for His glory and to our good! He is faithful.
Father, when we get stuck or lose our way, we thank you that you carry us through. We are grateful that you make the way through every season of our lives.
You are our High Priest, our Ark, our Rest; help us to share this good news with everyone. In Jesus’ beautiful name. Amen.
With Love and Belief,
~ Jill Steele
Jill Steele. Truly, it’s not ‘About Me’, but has always been about Him. I am a grateful, willing vessel, broken to be used.
My passion comes alive in writing, offering encouragement, sharing perspective on life, and pointing others in the direction of the Heavenly Father.
You may also follow Jill on her blog: SteeleFaith.com and GODsip.net
Lovely.