I have just returned from the national conference of the Messianic Israel Alliance. It was a profoundly blessed week with a big "family" gathered from around the country. We were greatly edified by wonderful teaching and anointed worship. And the Lord spoke to me there in parables, teaching me patience and perseverance!
When I first arrived to set up my table for books and CDs, I noted that once again my table was a far distance from the main marketplace. For the past few years at this conference there has been a large hall filled with tables for resources and merchandise, and my table has been down a separate hallway, far from the traffic. This year my table (along with three others) was actually on a floor above the marketplace, barely noticeable to shoppers! For the first couple of nights I sat and waited, hoping that some people would find their way upstairs. I thought about going to the staff and asking to have my table moved, but just as I entertained that thought, Father spoke to me in Scripture (Luke 14:8-11):
"When someone invites you to a feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, 'Give this man your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
I received this caution from Father in my heart, and knew I must remain hidden and humble. But on the final day of the conference, a staff person came to me and said, "Kelly, we are sorry you've been way up here, separated from the others. Please, we want to move your table to a better place!" Isn't God good?! How He loves to test us and see if we will obey; and if we do, He always responds as a loving Father.
I also want to share with you a dream I had last night (after arriving back home) and what the Lord spoke to me when I awoke. I feel led to share it because I sense there are others who need this word:
In this dream I was driving my car down a busy highway. Suddenly a blanket flew across my windshield, entirely obstructing my vision. My knuckles were white and my heart in a panic as I continued to drive blindly, crying out to God to help me steer. The blanket flailed in the wind, but remained stuck to my windshield, and I remembered wondering if the road was taking a turn in any direction, and where the traffic was around me! Suddenly, the blanket mercifully flew off and I could clearly see a stop sign just ahead of me where pedestrians were crossing. I was able to come to a complete stop without hurting anyone, and I sat there, utterly amazed. Then I heard the Voice of my Father:
"You are going about blindly right now, unsure of what is ahead. I am well able to steer your course. Do not panic, do not fear! Do not stop driving. Keep moving forward and when you need to turn to the right or the left, or make a sudden stop, I will remove the hindrances just in time. You will be given direction on a need-to-know basis, so do not try to get ahead of Me. All things will be made clear - just in time!
