“It is the glory of God to conceal things,
but the glory of kings is to search things out. (Prov 25:2)”
Thick storm clouds had concealed what God was doing up on the mountains the past few days. From the foothills where I reside, near the base of The Great Smoky Mountains, we have a view that reveals everything going on up there, whether they are sheathed in clouds or bathed in sunlight. Rain poured down on this Sabbath day (Saturday) in late November and you could barely see 5 feet in front of you, let alone 25 miles in the distance – no matter the towering heights sitting there. As I drove home from worship service, grateful that the clouds and rain had lifted, my breath stopped as I caught the first glimpse of the mountains, which had come out from within the hidden place of God, The Creator – revealing his artistry. The trees were, at last, fully painted with a final deep breath of autumn color before they completely surrendered life.
The grand reveal
There is a reason autumn is my favorite time of year and this is exactly it…the artistry of The Creator as his fingers touch the tree tops and showcases the very vein of color that lives within each variety. Foliage color contrast here in E. Tennessee is quite dramatic compared to other places I’ve lived. It makes one understand God alone knows best how to prepare his land, each tree, for their place within each season of their existence. Truth be told, He does the same to each of us, depending on the ebb and flow of season we are walking through: He secretly begins to plant new seeds in the early Spring of that season, waters them in the Summer and prays for a good harvest in the Autumn.
Winter, I believe, is when we are tested by harsh cold to see if we will still bloom come Spring – another time He reveals things that have been hidden or concealed. All of this I mention with purpose as it appears the Father has been germinating seeds throughout the past decade of my life. Seeds, I wasn’t fully aware of, but now that my heart is being harvested, I am grateful to know they landed on soft fertile soil and have taken root despite the Winters I lived through.
Strange seeds
Those winters transpired across several years; during those years, lots of strange seeds were tossed atop of the soil and tried to mix in and confuse my roots. I am so grateful for the fortitude I received through the many prayers of others as well as my own prayer life, which kept my spirit growing towards the Son and not dying, other than to self. I know exactly when this new seed growing up through the soil was planted because not only did it confirmed things I believed the Holy Spirit had been showing me in the Word for some time; the truth beneath this knowledge completely blew me away. This came through a book called The Harlot Church System I was gifted by a close friend.
My spirit was set ablaze by these writings by former paster Charles Newbold and his boldness in revealing things about the church my spirit man already suspected. I have since discovered that my camping out in and relating to Torah (Old Testament) in the early years of my faith journey, was no mistake. The Holy Spirit had certainly worked to keep me from getting caught up in “playing church”, instead instilling a deep desire to truly know God and Yeshua (Jesus Christ), and what being “set apart” meant.
Unbeknownst to me, the LORD was moving in my life after my failed marriage; I couldn’t quite get back to where I had been in my walk, prior to. I believed I was simply separated from God (and I am sure I was for a spell) but no matter what church I attended, or how much time I spent in His Word, something wasn’t connecting. Sure, the Holy Spirit was still moving through me, using me in amazing ways…yet, I felt something was amiss and couldn’t put my finger on what.
Being replanted
When I felt the stirring and was preparing to relocate, I knew to be obedient but had no clarity on why He was moving me.
“For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, nor anything kept secret except that it would come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” Then He continued, “Pay attention to what you hear. With the measure you use, it will be measured to you; and more will be added to you.” (Mark 4:22-24)
I tearfully (not fearfully – just emotionally) sought the LORD while in the moving truck, driving to Tennessee and asked for clarity on why He was uprooting me, He responded, but it wasn’t a clear answer. I heard him whisper three times, “I want you to go deeper into me.” Having no clue how, I said, ‘okay, just show me what you mean please!’
In essence, what God did by relocating me was carefully remove my roots from the soil that had been tainted by the various trials, churches and false doctrines I’d been exposed to and replant me in fresh, fertile soil so I could have a fighting chance at hearing Him – without distraction, without influences that didn’t “belong” where He intended me to set down new roots in Him.
Being questioned
A person who knows me but has been on the outskirts of my life for years questioned why God would move me. He didn’t get why God was relocating me to Tennessee. I didn’t either, other than what he’d told me along the route of preparation: “I am drawing My remnant there.” I was literally a week transplanted when He began to move and show me where I was headed, in a very strange way: He used my Cherokee heritage to open my eyes.
His “why” could never have been foreseen by me, nor will I ever grasp His reason for separating me from the few people I had nearby, to call friend or family, but His ways are higher and thoughts much greater, than my own. Those who are receiving this revelation of His truth – void of “religion” – are the remnant He kept talking to me about.
The richness and full meaning of The Word is now being revealed to me. It’s as though He had to remove me from any remnant of my old life, of the old woman; remove any taste of the world which remained within, of anything I cared about – in order to help me see clearly what has been hidden in plain sight for nearly 10 years.
Tearing the veil
The deep essence of God is breathed through every word written in the Holy Bible – from Genesis to Revelation – and once you learn the Truth, how every tiny detail manifests itself, every instance is connected to the ancient paths that the Believers and Disciples of Yeshua Hamashiach (the Messiah) were never meant to stray from – it should shake the very core of your being and belief system. It should completely change the paradigm of your faith and understanding of words like Torah, Hebrew, Israel, betrothal and unblemished bride..
Once the veil has been torn, there is no turning back!
Please hear this friends: I now understand things of His Word that while in plain sight (written in the Bible) have been concealed by the church and therefore not taught, or at least not taught truthfully, therefore things become muddled.
“Thus says Adonai, Isra’el’s King and Redeemer, Adonai–Tzva’ot: “I am the first, and I am the last; besides me there is no God. Who is like me? Let him speak out! Let him show me clearly what has been happening since I set up the eternal people; let him foretell future signs and events. Don’t be frightened, don’t be afraid — Didn’t I tell you this long ago? I foretold it, and you are my witnesses.” (Isaiah 44: 6-8)
How has this shift affected me?
- My senses have become keener, and I pray for more…
- More focus
- More time to spend in His presence (always!)
- More of Him
- More Truth
- Less and less of me…
- To be completely returned
- More open doors in which to step into His complete purpose, open doors through which to witness for His great name and amazing grace
As the missing pieces are put into place and His mysteries are revealed, I wait patiently while God (YHWH) shines light on life’s path, for only He can see the ending of, and holds the key to, His plans for me. What lies before me, Oh LORD? Send me deeper into the Holy of Holies…