Have you ever gone through a season where it seems that there is so much going on around you and it almost feels like your just spinning, sometimes feeling it’s all out of control? Now come on, be honest…we have all had those seasons and the circumstances are different for all of us, but the feeling is the same.

These feelings can lead us to several thoughts…change, transition, pruning, refining, purifying, adjustment, more change, transition and so on. It’s almost natural for us to begin to feel these seasons are something we dread going through or don’t want to experience. We say, ‘ugh, not again.

Recently, as I sat at my kitchen table early one morning before the sun rose and children woke, (the only quiet time in my house), I read the scripture Proverbs 4:25-27 and it began to really speak to me. I was reminded of the story of Elijah and Elisha (2 Kings 2). Elisha wanted Elijah’s mantle. Elijah told Elisha that he would have to see him be taken away in order for him to have it. One question that comes to me, just this moment is, did Elijah know he would be taken up by a whirlwind and chariot? Hmmm…thought for another time.

Anyway, Elisha had to see Elijah be caught up to be able to receive the mantle. Elisha’s job was to constantly watch Elijah. The test was to see if Elisha would be distracted by the whirlwind and chariot. The question is…would you or I be distracted? That’s something that is pretty hard to miss. But, how much do we want what our gaze is fixed upon?

What is your gaze fixed on?

Proverbs 4:25-27 Let your eyes look directly ahead, and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet and all your ways will be established. Do not turn to the right nor to the left; turn your foot from evil. 

When we go through the times it seems that everything is spinning, transitioning, and changing we have a choice. Where are we going to set our gaze? Will it be on the circumstances that are the whirlwind or will we keep our eye on the source that will provide and supply everything we need to go through that whirlwind and come out into a new season all together?

You may ask, how can I keep my gaze or my eyes fixed on The One in the midst of the storm? I’m glad you asked!!

Determine to stay in the Presence: Staying in His presence and allowing God to do what He does best…love and protect us as any good father would do. He wants to give us more than what we can see right now, but if He gave it to us now, are we prepared to carry it? The more we spend in His Presence, the more our capacity expands. God knows how much He wants to give us in each season.

Stay Focused: Keeping our gaze fixed on our Creator assures that He has our back! He will be the One who will deliver us from all the troubles that surround us. There are countless scriptures to confirm this promise. He will be the One that will lead us into all good things. He will the One who will tell us how much He loves us and desires so much for us. He will confirm His will for our lives. He will confirm the callings, gifting’s, and anointing on our lives. He is the one who gives those to us. He is all about seeing that His Word is set out to accomplish what it was meant to do.

Staying focused and our gaze set will allow God to do what He needs to do in order to prepare us to carry what He wants to give us. The one requirement for Elisha was that he could not be distracted by what was happening around him. His gaze had to be fixed on Elijah. Even when Elijah tried to send Elisha away, Elisha said, ‘I will not leave you as long as you are still alive’.

Know What You Want: What is it that you want? Elisha wanted Elijah’s mantle or anointing. Elisha wanted a double portion of Elijah’s anointing. Some religious people might say he was arrogant and greedy to ask for more than what was already manifested. I personally believe that Elisha believed that he would do greater things than Elijah. Who wouldn’t with a double portion anointing? Jesus even said we would do even greater works than He did.

Know what you want! What is it your after? It’s ok to pursue…it’s ok to go after more as long as your not wanting to become like someone else. Being authentically you and pursuing the anointing of God on your life is perfectly legal!! He loves for us to pursue more of Him, which brings more anointing…along with more refining, more change and transition.

So instead of complaining and whining about the challenging place we might be in at the moment or the current season, let us be continually fixed on Him. Are we looking to be appeased or pampered? Are we in self-pity? Choose to pursue His Presence and His heart instead of complaining. I’m preaching to the choir here…trust me!!

Keep your eyes on Him, determine to stay in His Presence daily, stay focused, and know what you want!

This is not the end of the road, it’s only the beginning to your destiny!

We will not be shaken!!