We all have a unique calling and destiny. I love it to see the body of Christ working together and bringing His Kingdom to earth. My family and I just retuned this week from a ministry trip to Barbados and Mexico. Our lives are changed everytime we witness the humility and thankfulness of others who worship Christ not for the things they have or don’t have, but for their life in Christ! That is truly all we need. We ministered in Mexico at a missionary school and the passion of God was stirred inside of me, because I know, that I know, that I know, that we have to start a missionary/disciple school here in South-Africa too!
We arrived back on Tuesday morning, and that night none of us could sleep because of the jetlag from flying across time-zones. As I was lying awake all I could think about was this equipping school that we have to get started. You always have to see the invisible first before you can do the impossible for God. I have learned that God will not ask you to do things for Him that are possible to do from your own strength – but He always asks us to do the impossible so that we can only rely on Him, and that He alone will get the glory. He calls us for mission impossible!
In my heart I know that the school has already been birthed in the spirit – but God is the one who will decide the avenues we need to take and the people He will use to help us to accomplish His destiny and calling for this school. In my eyes the task that lies ahead seems almost impossible, but for God nothing isimpossible! I just want to deposit what He has given to us into the lives of others.
The people of Mexico were such a blessing to us! It was dangerous to enter Mexico, and the authorities even asked the foreigners and Americans to stay out of that specific region while we were there. There were threats of kidnappings, and on the last day of our trip six people were killed and hanged from the bridge where we crossed over from America to Mexico.
We were protected by “big angels” as Aldo described them, and regardless of the security threats I wouldn’t exchange what I experienced there for anything! We learned so much from the students who we went to minister to. The curriculum they are being taught is built on truth, and they are living out “Kingdom-reality”,not only learning about it. On the last day of our visit they eagerly wanted to bless us from their meagre possessions, because they knew and understood the principle of blessing. One of the young boys gave his jacket to Aldo, and another girl fetched the best dress she had in her closet to give it to me, because they wanted to bless us and sow into our ministry. With tears in my eyes I told her that I couldn’t accept it, and she answered “Please take it Ma’am. It is the best I have, and I want to sow my best into your ministry. I understand the principle of sowing and reaping.” I looked at that young girl (probably 24 years of age) with awe, and I knew that I couldn’t refuse her gift. As we drove back that afternoon I sat holding that dress in my hands and so many things went through my mind. I knew that what I saw in that girl is what I want to do for the rest of my life – I want to live Jesus Christ. That is the most rewarding life on earth.
I just loved the Mexican food! The weather was extremely hot, and in-between the sweat and tears we had so much fun – just enjoying Yeshua’s hand upon our lives! When we returned to America the pastor of one of the congregations was surprized to hear where we had just come from. Concerned he asked me, “How can you take your family into such a dangerous place under these circumstances?” “Well, that’s easy”, I answered him, “Yeshua says in His Word that He will never leave us nor forsake us.” At that moment I knew that the hour is now here that we need to be sure of where our strength comes from. We are going to have to live in the glory of Yeshua in order to overcome the shadows of darkness – only when we areclothed in Him will we be able to have victory over fear.
Arise, Jerusalem! Let your lightshine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you. Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you. All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see your radiance (Isaiah 60:1-3).
God is speaking to me about the darkness that is coming, or that we are entering into. He is saying, “Retah, My children don’t need to be afraid – it is those who are playing the harlot, those who do not believe in Me, who are afraid of what is coming. The unbelievers who don’t have the mark of sonship are the ones who have no defence against the fear. But My sons, those who have been called out and marked for a time such as this, they will not be fearful. They have spiritual understanding and they will now grab hold of their destiny and live a Kingdom life in the midst of adversity.”
Wake up, wake up, O Zion! Clothe yourself with strength. Put on your beautiful clothes, O holy city of Jerusalem, for unclean and godless people will enter your gates no longer. Rise from the dust, O Jerusalem. Sit in a place of honour. Remove the chains of slavery from your neck, O captive daughter of Zion (Isaiah 52:1-2).
The sons of God will clothed according to Isaiah 52:1-2. First of all we must “awake”, and secondly we must “shake of the dust”. Then we need to clothe ourselves with beautiful garments that have been prepared for us. As we are letting go of the filthy rags that have clung to us in the past, we are ready to put on the beautiful garments of love, forgiveness, joy and peace. The sons of God will be able to recognize each other regardless of our nationality, or language, orculture – we will be able to look into each other’s eyes and see the glory ofYeshua.
I have ministered at so many places in my life, and I have seen so many people in ministry who follow God and know His Word – but what is the one characteristic that sets us apart from the world? It is our sonship.
I see so many people who say that they follow God, but do you truly know Him? Is He your Abba Father? Do you love Him with all your heart, mind, soul and strength? If the answer is yes, you will be able to trust Him with your whole being.
When you understand the love God has for you, you will be excited about your future because you will know that He has so many great things planned for you. That is what you have been made for – to live out His Kingdom purposes! You need to know God through your experiences with Him when you go through the tests of life – not just by your knowledge of the Word of God. God will lead you on a road of faith, and you will need to trust Him as He takes you forward one step at a time. It is a humbling road, where His Spirit will lead you to live out His Word practically in the circumstances you encounter. The people who truly“know” God will be able to walk through dark places without fear because they know that God is God!
My family and I have learned so much about who God is through the storms we had to go through, and this also makes me to reverently fear God more and more. The revelation of God’s holiness makes it so much easier to walk away from willful sin. It helps you to choose forgiveness above bitterness, contentment above constantly striving for more, and it helps you to be happy in your outwardly“imperfect” circumstances – because you have found your joy and happiness in the Lord!
Do you truly know God?
God is not concerned about the size of your ministry or what you “do” for Him – but what matters most is your pure testimony with the fruit of love that flows out of your oneness and love for Him. Always remember: Your calling is not what you are doing for Him – but who you are in Him.
I want to thank the people in Barbados, Mexico and Texas for all the love they poured out on us. We were so blessed to minister with you, to experience Yeshua’s love through you, and to worship our King alongside you.
Thank you,and may the King bless you in all your works.
Love Retah and family
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