In His Likeness w/ AntTBri

Restoration

 Just like there is a going in time there is a coming out time as well.  God in his infinite wisdom decides the particulars of both. He in his faithfulness orchestrates events that culminate in the center of His perfect will.  The Father uses measured amounts of pain, pressure, and harnessed productivity to redirect our focus, and fix our eyes and hearts BACK on HIM.  Whatever the chosen form of preparation used to bring about the purpose of God in our lives… it is always the objective of God to restore fellowship within the relationship.

Are we equally invested in the relationship? While transitioning, going through, undergoing amounts of pain, pressure, and stalled productivity are we “getting it” or merely surviving it to get to an experience opposite the present? Do we intentionally set out, or settle into the allowance to derive a greater understanding of God, ourselves and others?  If God is love, then love would only allow pain, pressure, and postponements to adequately prepare our hearts for what it will encounter and experience in the future.  Otherwise, what would be the purpose?

 Do we question love and make meaningful inquiries about what love desires we learn and gather as a result of the pain, pressure, and postponement of productivity? Should we be investigating why we’re in the wilderness? Are there any characteristics that need to be developed or cultivated while we’re waiting? Maybe the purpose of our going in is to reroute our practices, proclamations, and passions. Could this be the source of our wantonness?  Maybe the reprieve we’re soliciting is really restored fellowship and communion with the Father.  If not, why even be in, maintain, or confess a relationship with the Living Savior?

 Possibly, we come out because there is a turning back to the way, work, and worship of the true and living God. Most definitely, rebellion…the refusal to do life and Love God’s way prevents us from experiencing the fullness of our living, loving, and lasting relationship with Him. God is relational…He is our Father.  A faithful and loving Father that is just, all knowing, and independent of all other factors (what we/or other influences think and suggest). He always does what’s best for the relationship.  He is not an abusive, sadistic Father waiting to punish us and do us harm.  Rather, a caring Father who cares that we develop right and whole in Him.  He wants us to choose to experience life and love in Him wholly.   His preparation serves a greater purpose than gathering joy from our pain, pressure, and postponed productivity.  He is invested in our outcome and ultimately committed to His will and our expected end in Him. 

It’s hard to hear but God isn’t moved by our tears, tantrums, or talk…he is moved by the posture of our hearts before him.  Our obedience speaks above and beyond our acts of service and sacrifice. Our reverence and adoration of WHO He is honors Him as ALL KNOWING and SUFFIENTCY. The humbling of our wills, the surrender of our intellects, and the submission of our hearts yielded completely to His will, way and Word as it pertains to how we live and love matriculates us progressively.  When we sincerely and honestly accept, acknowledge, and affirm God’s right to decide what is profitable, needful, and beneficial for our living and loving Restoration will break us out of what we’ve been in…to bring us back (in heart) to God.    

Historical accounts attest to God using opposition, obstacles, and obstructions to reroute the hearts of God chosen people back to Himself.  How interesting it is that we get excited when we hear “it’s over”, “you’re coming out”, and “you’re entering a new season”. The promise of “Restoration” “Retribution”  “Repair and Rebuild” brings us respite while we’re going through our wilderness, waiting, and wantonness experiences.  It is my hope that we’re taking the necessary time, making the needed investments in resolving the mindsets, mannerisms, and movements that prompted the necessity of revival, renewal, and restoration.  Out of all our getting I pray we get a heart after and truly committed to God then this wilderness, waiting, and wantonness we will see no more. ~AntTBri