“How can that be, I am called by God and I´ve received many prophecies but all came to a standstill and I am lacking the fire to continue?” I believe some of us are asking this question and are in this situation right now where nothing is moving in the direction of their calling. I believe there are different reasons for that, but I want to share based on Philippians 3 what Paul has to say about it.
For what is everyone called?
I press on to reach the end of the race and receI run towards it with all my might to win the victory prize, life in God’s glory. For this is what God has called us to through Jesus Christ. – Philippians 3:14 German Bible HFA
Paul is saying here that we are called to be in Gods glory. That means every Christian, if you are already a believer for a long time or only since yesterday, your primary calling is first to be in God’s presence.
We are created to minister to Him before we preach the gospel or do any other spiritual activities. Paul describes it as a “run” where he says we need to press on. That means when he is pressing on with his whole strength then there must be a headwind. Otherwise he could have said I am jogging comfortably. No, I think he knows exactly what he was talking about and I ask myself what is the headwind?
A short time ago I was on my bike on my way to the office in the morning and it was stormy. With all my strength I was pressing into the pedal, but I barely moved. It was exhausting, I was sweating, and I needed more time to reach the office but I finally arrived. Did I take the same route? YES. Was the goal the same? YES. But the opposition was different and that is the point. On our way into Gods presence we will always experience opposition and temptations which will try to keep us away from having communion with God.
“Don’t stop half way through” – Philippians 3:16b German Bible HFA
In Verse 16 Paul is writing to us not to stop half way through. That means there are people who stopped walking.
What are the things that can bring us to a standstill in our relationship with God?
They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. – Philippians 3:19 NLT
The moment my life is circling around life on earth and the enjoyment of my appetite and lust then I am in danger of experiencing a spiritual standstill. That is a warning to every Christian.
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers[b] all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. – 1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT
We have to realize if we give ourselves over to our flesh and our lusts then we are a good and easy target for the enemy and a spiritual standstill is almost unavoidable. However, when we are walking daily into Gods presence, resist the attacks of the enemy and seek God in His word and pray then we will experience the “life in God´s glory” (Philippians 3,14 German Bible HFA), which is our first and most important calling.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. – Psalm 23:6 NLT
New Living Translation (NLT); Hoffnung für alle (HFA) German Bible