I hear the Father speaking value over those who are in an unexpected season of life. You are gold in His Kingdom! He is still at work! And your voice, along with the gifts you carry, is significant now and in the future.
"Lord, Why Am I Here?"
One of the themes in Scripture is that God called His people out of Egypt (Hos. 11:1). And yet at the end of Jacob's life, God called him into Egypt!
Sometimes, like Jacob, we end up in a season we never expected. We may say, "Lord, why am I here?" But even when life takes an unexpected turn, God is with you. Hear your Father say, "I am the God of your present, past, and future."
The Land of Prophetic Promise
Jacob worked for his uncle Laban in Haran for many years, but he was destined to return to Canaan, where he'd grown up. In fact, years earlier at Bethel, he made a promise to God about it (Gen. 28:21).
The day eventually came when God spoke to him and said: "I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and where you made a vow to Me. Now arise, get out of this land, and return to the land of your family" (Gen. 31:13, NKJV).
It was time to go to Canaan!
Now, Canaan was the land of prophetic promise where Jacob's forefathers, Abraham and Isaac, had lived. So, Jacob obeyed God, took his family, and established his home in the land of Canaan.
Living on the Inside of Your Own Story
Today, we have the benefit of seeing the whole story in Genesis, but Jacob had to live inside of that story. Right now, you are living on the inside of your own story. Aspects of it are in mystery, but that is where God dwells. In times of uncertainty, we may say, "I feel unstable!" Our Father replies, "My plans are unshakable. Beloved, I hold you in the palm of My hand." (Photo via Pxfuel)
You can be assured that there is glory in the mystery, for God is with you!
4 Ways God Is Still at Work in Your Calling
1. You Discover God has Already Provided for You
Jacob was still faithfully living in Canaan when a regional drought began. And then, he was watching his family's grain supply dwindle. He had no choice but to turn to Egypt to purchase grain. Little did Jacob know that his son Joseph was alive, and had a position of authority in Egypt. He did not realize that his future supply was already secured. In fact, Jacob tried to pay for grain from Egypt, but that money was returned, along with the grain he ordered (Gen. 42:35).
Jacob had a source of favor that he was unaware of!
What a wonderful thought: You have more favor than you are aware of. Today, you may be concerned about a source of supply drying up, but God has gone ahead of you!
2. You Encounter God in Unexpected Ways
God called Jacob to Egypt through an invitation from his son Joseph. It wasn't until he was en route, at Beersheba, that God spoke to him directly.
"So He said, 'I am God, the God of your father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there.'" (Gen. 46:3, NKJV)
We read in Genesis that Jacob encountered God at all the turning points of his life; and in the same way, He wants to speak with you about your future.
Now, remember, Jacob wasn't always "in a good place with God" when the Lord spoke to him! He first encountered God at Bethel, after having failed in his relationships and fled his home. This amazing grace, including His life-changing adjustments, is available to you also. This is true, even though you may have questions or feel regret right now.
3. You See God's Redemption in This Season
In every season there is redemption, so don't focus on what God is not doing. Instead, see what He is doing—there is something beautiful for you to see. Jacob had something to look forward to in Egypt, for he had learned that his son Joseph was there. His family would be together again; his tribe would be complete. A reconciliation was about to take place, and there was more! In Egypt, there was an abundance of food and room for the tribe of Israel to grow.
4. You Discover Your Voice to the Next Generation
Jacob gave his final prophetic words to his sons in Egypt! These words are among Jacob's greatest contributions to Scripture (Gen. 49). As an elderly man, he had an opportunity to speak with and bless Pharaoh (Gen. 47:7)!
No matter where you are right now, you have gifts and a voice! God has given unique insights to you, along with knowledge, stories, and prophetic messages. There are people around you who need to hear your story. (Photo via Flickr)
Also, let's not forget that our Father is generational. He sees the bigger picture beyond our time on Earth. And just as He did with Jacob, God is using our lives to help set the stage for a future generation.
God's Timeline Is Unique for You
We often liken the prophetic calling to climbing a mountain. There are twists and turns, and it seems to take forever to climb—years go by! Think about Joseph, Esther, and David, who are typical of our prophetic "heroes of the faith." After seasons of preparation, trials, and waiting, they ascended to rule. And from that pinnacle, they were positioned to fulfill God's destiny for their lives. So we also dream of the day where finally we will arrive at the summit—the high point of our calling. We often think that we will stay there and build for the rest of our lives; yet, not every prophetic calling in the Bible follows that pattern, and your timeline is unique.
These Are Your Best Days
So, today, no matter where you are right now, be encouraged by the journey of Jacob. Honor your circumstances, choose to bless your surroundings, seek to help others, and hear your Father say: "These ARE your best days, for I am here with you!"
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Helen Calder
Enliven Ministries
Email:Â helen@enlivenpublishing.com
Website:Â www.enlivenpublishing.com
Helen Calder is a prophetic minister and writer, and founder of Enliven Ministries, in the David McCracken Ministries family. Helen has a unique gift of equipping in the areas of prophetic ministry, discernment and prayer. She is known for Enliven Blog, an online prophetic training and mentoring resource that reaches thousands of people globally. Helen and Malcolm have been married for 37 years and are at home in Planetshakers Church, Melbourne, Australia.
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