Transitioning From Passover to Pentecost
The Ekklesia of Christ is in a time of shifting. This time between Passover and Pentecost takes us through a process of shifting and realigning. It is a time of acceleration before being activated in a new way.
Anyone who has been in any kind of leadership position, whether on the job, in church or becoming a parent can tell you that no amount of training actually prepares you for the real deal. That day you step into the new role as mom, boss, or leader you become something you weren’t the day before. Nine months of preparation for that baby was needed to form a new life. During development we need to learn all we can. When the time comes to step into what we have prepared for we can then draw on what we’ve learned.
I was an administrative assistant for years. My responsibilities shifted when I became an executive admin. While I may have felt I could run the company, the truth of the matter is, running the company wasn’t my job. I was really good at my job. I was an excellent admin. I could juggle multiple projects and keep the diary for the president and three VP’s.
A day came when God called me out of that role and off that job. As an admin it was my job to stay on top of what other people were doing, do my job and make sure the office ran smoothly. I went through a major shift. The adrenaline rush and energy that had once dominated my life was suddenly gone. I drove my kids nuts trying to find an outlet for the need to be busy.
Since then God has had me on an entirely different journey. I learned to slow down and take life one day at a time. I don’t feed off that energy anymore. My entire life shifted. I experienced an even greater shift when I went from student to teacher.
In 2006, I was introduced to a former Hebrew professor. He had taught for a number of years at a Chicago area Bible college, pastored a church, and served in other various ministry capacities. At that time, he had been studying the Hebrew language for over thirty years. He has a doctorate in his field. During his stint as a Hebrew professor he developed a method of study which would allow individuals to study the Hebrew Scriptures without needing a college course to do it. However, when we met, he was burned out from ministry. It took a year of convincing before he agreed to teach a small group of us in our home.
He is an amazing storyteller. We learned by sitting at his feet. It wasn’t like sitting in a classroom. It was like sitting on the side of mountain listening to Jesus gently share a parable. After he had been with us for nine months he informed us that the Lord was leading him in a new direction. Without fanfare he also announced that the Lord had shown him that one of our group was supposed to take over the class. He did not however let us known whom the Lord had chosen.
A few days later the Lord revealed that He had chosen me for the task. Even though I was confident with what I had learned I was challenged by the thought of taking over a role for which I felt completely unqualified. I didn’t have thirty years of learning this stuff to draw on. I had nine months. How was this possible? Was it even God. So, I contacted our professor and he confirmed what God was showing me.
Somewhere along the way I had transitioned from student to teacher. I don’t know when that happened. There was, however, a day on the calendar when I actively stepped into the role. It felt awkward at first. One day at a time, I adapted. I don’t exactly when or how the transition occurred. It didn’t just happen because I stepped into the role. I stepped into the role because the transition had happened.
There is something new coming for which the Ekklesia is transitioning. This year there is a very specific company of people that are currently transitioning in order to actively step into the new role God designed for them. The Lord has shown me that the final stages of their preparation for this transition is happening right now during these days between Passover and Pentecost.
Can You Say Shift
What the disciples experienced at Pentecost (Acts 2) was not merely a mental paradigm shift as a result of what they had learned. They were empowered by the Holy Spirit. Yes, they had been taught by Jesus. Remember however, that Jesus embodied the Holy Spirit. That means Holy Spirit manifested through Jesus throughout the entirety of His ministry. Holy Spirit wasn’t absent. He was very much present. Somewhere along the way, the disciples made the transition from student to teacher, so to speak. Years of preparation followed by fifty days of preparation. (Three years with Jesus. Followed by the season between Passover and Pentecost)
Disciple to Apostle
When the disciples experienced the indwelling empowerment of Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, Holy Spirit was now going to manifest in and through them. In order for them to step into this new dynamic, Jesus first had to go away.
But I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I am leaving; for if I do not leave, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. ~ John 16:7
The disciples had spent the last three years with Jesus learning, experiencing Holy Spirit and growing in grace and truth. In addition to being exposed to Jesus’ earthly ministry, they would now need experience with the resurrected Messiah. They would time and space to make the transition from working for Jesus to working with Jesus. That is a major transition. They made this transition during the days between Passover and Pentecost.
To these [men] He also showed Himself alive after His suffering [in Gethsemane and on the cross], by [a series of] many infallible proofs and unquestionable demonstrations, appearing to them over a period of forty days and talking to them about the things concerning the kingdom of God. ~ Acts 1:3 AMP
Transition to Transition
We are in a season of time that takes us from transition into transition. The Ekklesia has been transitioning for the past two years. The church season is slowly closing out. It is time for the Ekklesia to arise with a new dispensation of grace. Those who will be leading this new era are even now transitioning. They will soon step into the roles fow which God has ordained them. Once they begin to move in their new position it will cause a domino effect throughout the rest of the Ekklesia.
The church as we know it will become a distant memory. Those who try to hold on to what was, will be greatly disappointed. Those who have eyes to see what the Spirit is doing will rejoice to see the work begin, much as in the days of Zerubbabel.
For who has shown contempt for the day of small things? But these seven will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel—they are the eyes of the LORD roaming throughout the earth. ~ Zechariah 4:10
As we progress forward remember that shifting is the focus of the day. That means letting go of former things in order to lay hold of something new. Courage, grace and faith will overcome the obstacles. Ask God for eyes to see and ears to hear the Spirit of the Lord, and the courage to make the changes so you can move forward in the days ahead.
What are you, you great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain; and he will bring out the top stone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ~ Zechariah 4:7
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