Sara Whitten: "God Is Hatching Something"

From the Desks of Steve Shultz and Julie A. Smith:

God is "hatching" something new!

Now that's a phrase you don't hear often...but it's a very good word from Sara Whitten as she says:

God's plans that He hatches for us are the best possible surprises. We often fear the unexpected, but with the Lord, He does more than we ask, expect or imagine, in only the best ways.

That says a great deal right there... Enjoy this article from Sara Whitten, and enjoy the surprises of God as He hatches something new in your life. (To Subscribe to the Elijah List subscribe here.)

In Christ,

Steve Shultz and Julie A. Smith, Co-Editors
Elijah List Publications

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One morning before starting my devotions, I got a clear image of a nest tucked away with several eggs in it. As I reached for my journal to jot down impressions, I wrote, "Hidden, safe, nest with eggs," "potential over time," "sit on it and wait." While the words "sit on it and wait" are hardly a motivational speech, I was overcome with feelings of encouragement and hope. I felt the Lord whisper, "Don't judge this season because of what I am hatching."

The Moment of "Hatch"

I thought about animals that incubate their eggs. Just sitting on those eggs looks—at first glance—uneventful, like wasted time and like nothing is happening...until the moment of "hatch." As I looked up the definition of hatch, I realized that God's work of "hatching" things in our lives this season can look many different ways.

First, a hatch is an opening in a roof. It brings to mind a famous biblical opening in a roof, in which one man, who could do nothing (because he was paralyzed), reached such a point of boldness (or at the very least said yes to his friends' boldness), and was healed through an unconventional and unexpected "hatch" made in the roof (see Luke 5). Sometimes the hatching that the Lord is doing in our lives is taking our yes, or our bold hope, and creating an unexpected way where there was no way, in order to bring about the miraculous for His glory. (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)

Second, a hatch is a small covered opening in the floor that leads to an underground space. Immediately I got the image of a wine cellar. Like a chicken on its eggs, wine often does a lot of "sitting," which looks uneventful. In the sitting, however, is an internal process that is literally changing its composition and destining it for a different use. At times, God is hatching a renewed mind for us, or a softened heart. It doesn't look like much in terms of change on the outside, but on the inside, critical preparation is happening for a future new use or application.

A hatch can also be the opening on the side of a plane. Just like in skydiving, using this hatch requires one step (or leap) of faith to set it in motion. That one step, however, can be the hardest because it requires total trust in the Lord and a complete departure from our own understanding. The leap from the hatch may be momentary, but the preparation for the leap is the real work. For some of you, the "hatching" that the Lord is doing in your life is a breakthrough in the form of preparation for one critical step of obedience that looks scary; but through trust and obedience, it will prove to be both fruitful and build trust.

Hatches are also found between the lower portion of a ship and the deck of the ship. An emergence onto the deck provides visibility, and, for some ships, steering. While you are technically "in the same boat" (literally and figuratively), regardless of what deck you're on, having greater visibility and sense of heading is a game changer. Maybe what God is hatching in your life isn't so much a change in direction as much as it is greater insight, revelation and visibility into what He is doing and where you are headed with Him.

The final definition to catch my attention for the word "hatch" was a covering for an opening. Our sweet God doesn't provide an opening or calling without also inviting us into His covering. Wherever He calls us to and whatever He calls us to do, He gives us the grace for it. Thank You, Lord!

Transition, Time and the Unexpected

Hatching, regardless of what it looks like in your life, involves three things: a transition, a period of time, and an element of the unexpected. Hatching from an egg or a chrysalis are both huge transitions; one being the birthing of a brand new thing, and the other being an old thing that is entering a new season, with all new ways to move and operate. (Photo via Hippopx)

Incubation, often involved in hatching eggs, is the time of waiting that feels like nothing. I imagine it's what the first couple of laps around Jericho felt like, also. But our experience in the waiting can still be victorious if we remember the breakthrough that it's building up to. To "hatch" (as a verb) can mean "to make a plan, especially a secret plan."

God's plans that He hatches for us are the best possible surprises. We often fear the unexpected, but with the Lord, He does more than we ask, expect or imagine, in only the best ways.

As I reviewed my original journal notes to write this, I noticed that I had jotted in messy cursive "potential over time," with the words "over" and "time" running together. I laughed at the idea of "potential overtime," which often does happen when we're willing to let the Lord complete His processes in us. Rarely does sitting on something or "hanging in there" through transition feel exhilarating, but the irony is that the word "hatch" also listed floodgate as a definition. All the build up, preparation and growth that happens as we "sit on" this season and soak up all the Lord has for us will result in the release the floodgate of His presence and His movement in our lives.

Wherever you are today, may you be encouraged to ask the Lord what He may be hatching in your life. May you see this time today of "in between" or waiting or stepping into the unknown as the incubation period for the Lord's promises for tomorrow.

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Sara Whitten
Arrows of Zion
Email: sara@arrowsofzion.com
Website: www.arrowsofzion.com

Sara Whitten is an author, speaker, equipper, and founder of Arrows of Zion Ministry. She and her husband are pastors for the youth at Impact Christian Fellowship in Kerrville, Texas. Sara is a prophetic writer that has been featured on The Elijah List, Spirit Fuel, Charisma and more. She hosts "Hear God Everyday" on Charisma Podcast Network, a podcast with tools to help amplify the voice of God amidst the noise of everyday life. Sara also co-founded One Spark International, an organization that sponsors Bible-based training and education in unreached and restricted nations in order to see the gospel reach all people groups. She is also an active part of groups that train and invest in professionals wanting to use their business and marketplace skills to transform unreached nations for the Kingdom.

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