How to Use Apostolic Power Between the Seasons
“To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven (Ecclesiastics 3:1).
All of us encounter a season that seems to be no definable season; I call it the Between Season.
We may be between our past glories and future glories, between the sowing and harvesting season, between the last and the next season of our journey.
For many people, this is an uncomfortable season. It is a time of wondering and searching for answers: “Why am I here?” “Did I miss God somewhere along the way?” “What now?”
There can be a sense of frustration, discouragement, and maybe some confusion. At times, we might feel like a gerbil; running hard, spinning your wheels; we seem to be going nowhere. Yet we are going somewhere; we are running the race toward your future! How?
Patience and Perseverance
As I prayed about my Between Seasons, I heard the Lord give me two words: Patience and Perseverance.
This may be your Season of Patience. Like a farmer, you cannot sow and reap in the same season, you have to wait for the crop to develop and ripen. But, that doesn’t mean it’s a time to look to the past, or to simply sit by wasting time.
This is a special waiting time because God has provided time to pray, plan, and prepare for the season ahead.
It is a time for actively waiting in patience.
I know you do not like those words, neither do I. I am designed to be a leader, a world-changer; out there advancing the Kingdom of God. I know many of you can relate to this. Nonetheless, it will take patience to get you through this season and into your harvest season.
David actively waited about twenty years from the time he was anointed to be king to the time he actually became the king.
Jesus actively waited thirty years to begin his ministry to change the world. I am not saying this season will take that long, but it did for many great men and women who went before us.
How can we effectively wait through this season? For one, when we “wait on the LORD, He shall renew our strength.” We quote this verse often, but we must remember to apply it to our own lives when we need it!
The Apostle Paul said, “Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, by signs and wonders and mighty works,”( 2 Corinthians 12:12) and “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness faithfulness,” (Galatians 5:22).
So, we see that patience is both a fruit of the Spirit and a sign of apostolic power!
And, “those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
Patience
Problems and trouble often come in the Between Season. The Apostle James wrote, “Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow and don't try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete” (James 1:2-4).
Developing character is one of God’s purposes in the Between Season. Strengthening your character, the character of Christ, will see you though. It will help you emotionally handle the season and will also bring you honor.
During this season, your prayers will give you plans to help you overcome your trials. The presence of the Lord will empower and prepare you. He will lift you up. So be glad, for God is at work within you during the Between Season. Stephen Covey says, “Private victories precede public victories. You can’t invert the process any more than you can harvest a crop before you plant it.”
Perseverance
You need a vision of your future to persevere.
Perseverance enables you to keep your eyes fixed on the prize – the goal. Your road to success runs uphill and perseverance gives you the strength for the uphill run. You are in a race to get there, not to break a speed record, but to make it to the top – the prize, the goal.
Perseverance is God’s power in you to stick to it, to get up, to take it step-by-step.
The great baseball player, Yogi Berra said, "The game isn't over till its over." Your game is definitely not over; you are just in the time between the innings.
Winston Churchill said, “If you are going through hell, keep going.” Persevere until the end when the goal (the vision) will be achieved.
"For a righteous man falls seven times and rises again" (Proverbs 24:16). “And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint” (Galatians 6:9).
As the old saying goes, “Be patient, in time even an egg will walk!”
Stay on the hunt!
Stay sharp!
Stay clear!
Stay focused!
Be like the five wise virgins; be ready for the goal to appear; be sure you have enough oil for you lamp for when the Bridegroom comes. For those, who by patience and perseverance, wait with expectation of fulfillment will reap the blessing, the prize, the vision!
Paul said, “Therefore I persevere and stand my ground with patience and endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory” (2 Tim. 2:10).
Remember, many are urging you on to victory!
“Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance [patience and perseverance] the race that is set before us “ Hebrews 12:1).
My Prayer for You
My prayer for you is that you obtain the full patience and perseverance you need to run this race to the top.
My prayer is that, “you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy” (Colossians 1:11).
My prayer is that your Between Season is a powerful, productive, and purposeful season full of hope for the future.
My prayer for you is to fulfill His promise to you in Deuteronomy 28:12-13, that “The Lord shall open to you His good treasury, the heavens, to give the rain of your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hands; and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.”
Keep on keeping on with patience and perseverance and see the victory in your future!
Building together with Him and you,
© 2019 John P. Kelly