“For behold, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers have already appeared in the land; the time has arrived for pruning the vines.”
—Song of Songs 2:11-12, NASB

Reflection:
Anyone who has walked with the Lord for some time can tell you there are different seasons of the Holy Spirit’s operation in our lives. There are seasons when we bask in Messiah Jesus’ fragrance and affirmation. We praise Him as better than any worldly pleasure. We experience His refreshing presence. We sit at the King’s banqueting table, and our hearts open up to Him in the midst of His extravagant love and provision. Many of us experienced this in the beginning of the journey of divine romance, in our early days of following the Lord.

Do you remember when you first met Him, how God did so many little things for you? In those early days Father God often works in so many supernatural ways. It can seem like He is showing up in our circumstances and making Himself known again and again. We feel He is present and active with us in so many ways, big and small. But as time goes on, some of those noticeable moments may stop happening with the same frequency. As a result, we may wonder what is going on. We may even become troubled because it seems like the supernatural has stopped.

Then we begin to understand. Yeshua may be revealing to us: You have been at this place of relative comfort, experiencing My presence and glory, for long enough. It is time for us to move on together. I’m going to ask you to step out in faith. I want you to face some things that will make you afraid. I want you to conquer some issues in your life and do new things for Me. Some of the assignments I have for you will feel uncomfortable and even strike fear into your heart for a while. But I am still asking you to follow Me to the top of the mountain.

Now it is not enough to declare that His trustworthy banner over our life is love. We have to move forward and walk it out by faith.

The King encourages us that it is time for a change, “For behold, the winter is past” (Song 2:11). He is saying: I took you through the cold, harsh season of winter. I have been faithful to you in all things, and now that former season is gone. You can trust Me for the future and the new things I have for us together in higher places. 

When Yeshua’s invitation comes, we may realize we are being held back by areas of doubt and fear. His invitation may disturb our mind. It may interrupt our peaceful repose in the place where His beauty and care refreshed us. We may not realize our own heart and mind would rebel at His command. Then we have a choice to make. Will we stay in the place of comfort and refreshment, or will we overcome these internal weaknesses and go with Him to the mountaintop – to partner with Him in greater ways?

Now it’s time to cleanse yourself of these things, to get a little whiter like that lily in the valley. There are times when we simply soak in Yeshua’s love and are bathed in His presence. Then comes a time, as it does for all of us, of unexpected shifts and tests that require faith and obedience.

God requires greater and greater levels of obedience over time. The progression never ends, and this for our transformation and glory. His way of leading us includes times of rest when we are simply strengthened in His presence, being still and receiving. But then He changes it up and calls us out from under the apple tree to take greater steps of faith. Up the mountain we go, in our work and relationship with Him.

Application:

• Ask the Holy Spirit to show you whether this is a season of rest under His care or stepping forward in faith and obedience.
• When His invitation feels uncomfortable, remember: He has been faithful in all things, and His banner over you is love.

Prayer:
Father God, thank You for every season when You have made Yourself known and experienced in my life. Help me not to become troubled when You change the way You are leading me. Give me courage to step out in faith, face the things that make me afraid, and conquer the issues that keep me from closer fellowship with You. Cleanse me, strengthen me, and make me willing to follow Messiah Jesus to higher places. I trust You for the future and the new things You have for us together. Amen.