25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.”
—HEBREWS 12:25-28
I’ve read this passage a million times. It’s been on Facebook posts, memes on Instagram, quoted by influencers and included in pastor’s messages. I would read this passage and think, This is awesome. God, I want You to shake things up in this world and shake off anything in me or around me that must be shaken.
Up until recently, I thought of this passage with a delightful expectation. After all, I’m fully aware that there are a lot of situations and also people who need Jesus to firmly grip them on the shoulders and give them a “good shake.”
You?
Ya, but it’s something very different when this passage becomes your life.
I’ve been standing on sinking sand in areas I wasn’t aware. Ugh! It makes me so mad to even make this statement. I’ve done so much work in prayer and practice to step into a life of holiness. Truly. And indeed, I do walk in great power, authority, and maturity. I’m not prideful when I say this. I’ve done years and years of work in obedience to gain the Lord’s trust and favor. HARD WORK! Laboring before God.
Many of you have benefited from prayer sessions because I’ve laid down so much to gain the ears and eyes of Jesus. And I’m so humbled to have prayed with many and be present as Jesus shows up to heal, touch, love, and restore His beloved Bride.
But since January 4th of this year, I’ve walked through the shaking of a life-time. I’ll be transparent and admit that twice I experienced an existential crisis in my faith, my life, and future.
Wow!
There are two things I want to share with you about the last four-five weeks that I’ve learned.
GOD IS ALL WE HAVE!
GOD IS ENOUGH AND HE IS THE ONLY THING RELIABLE.
Although I do believe we are surrounded by people, friends and family, who would rush to our side in our time of need, God is what will sustain you when your entire world falls apart.
Even if you doubt. Even if you go through such wild circumstances that you feel like you are watching your life from above. Even when He wakes you in the middle of the night to explain to you what you need to know or learn. (I’ve had weeks of sleepless nights, ugh! AND God has spoken to me about things I didn’t know, misconceptions, out-right lies I believed, and areas of my life that could be better.)
Secondly, if you haven’t been through a shaking, my friends, God will bring it.
GULP!
Because once all has been shaken, you truly are positioned to pray down principalities and recast the future for millions. I truly believe this.
Are you shaking? I want to be your friend. If your life has shaken apart, I’ll be one sole survivor who will assure you that God will show you many things you didn’t know. He will love you and restore that which is of Him. He will never stop loving you. Even when you are mad, sad, glad, confused, and exhausted.
HE IS ALL WE NEED! I truly know this deep within.
Next week I’ll share a few tips to carry when you are toppling in the shaking. They are lifelines.
I love you so much. I have a deeper love for our Father, Jesus and Spirit and for broken people.
I LOVE YOU! In His grace, Lynn