Pure Glory

by Hazel Straub

Can you remember being a college student and taking many classes in your major area of study?  You spent time in the classroom hearing your professor lecture, you read books on your area of interest, did research and wrote papers, and even took the final exam.  Once you satisfied the college’s requirements, you received a diploma attesting that you had completed the requirements to become a graduate.  After a job search, you were hired for the job that you had long anticipated.  Although you had the job title, you still needed time to learn how to do your job duties. You no longer could dress like a student or think as you did formerly.  The work place was different from school. Studying about the subject did not give you the wisdom to know how to deal with the job challenges.  It made you think wistfully of your more carefree student days. This time of transition to the new professional life, required help from your supervisor and coworkers to learn how to become an employee that was confident in performing all the job duties. It took some time to master every facet of your new occupation.  You were earning a pay check in your chosen field but experienced much discomfort.

The church, similar to the recent college graduate, has transitioned into a new place of destiny that we anticipated occupying.  Now that we are here, we find it uncomfortable and unfamiliar. The comfort of the past is not there. We have arrived in new territory but we do not know how to conduct ourselves.  This is a place that we have never seen or known.  The old paradigms of the past no longer fit.  Our old ways, relationships and structures have changed.  What worked well in the past, no longer does.  We need to rely on the Holy Spirit (job supervisor) to show us how occupy this new place.  It is a time to stop, pause and listen. The old is gone and we need instruction for moving into our destiny.  We cannot trust in ourselves but only in the small, still voice of our teacher of all truth, comforter and friend-Holy Spirit.

Jesus is our Good Shepherd, who leads and guides us into abundant provision.  We know his voice and need to stay close by his side, as we walk into this new place and season.  Let him define you and your relationships.  He is there to give you comfort, when you go through this season of death to the old.  Even when your enemies are near, our Shepherd provides you with covenant provision.  During this new season his goodness and mercy will follow and pursue you all the days of your life as you follow his lead.