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KEEP THE FAITH, YOU'RE ALMOST THERE!
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While growing up and being raised in the church there were many revivals where I had visited and heard many revivalist state, "as the old preacher has stated, 'you're either in a storm, heading to a storm or coming out of a storm'". With having heard this so many times, It has dawned on me just now since I have been called into the ministry, be it a year and a half with writing this "Rhema Topic", to see who this saying stems from! With having done proper research, I've come to conclude that it comes from the Rev. Dr. H. Beecher Hicks, Jr., senior pastor of the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. Hicks wrote a book entitled Preaching through a storm (copyright 1987, Harper Collins Publishers) which examines the constructs by which a pastor of a church must endure and bring encouragement to the hearts of his congregation during trials and tribulations.
The book let's its readers know that though it may seem like God will not clearly send a message during a storm, in actuality, it is through the message itself from the man or woman-of-God that God does address the issues at hand. With this, he is the preacher that the saying we're either "'coming out of a storm, in a storm, or heading for a storm'" is accredited to.
If Rev. Dr. Hicks would allow me the opportunity, the Holy Ghost has given me the revelation that what he is speaking is the truth in this quote. The way I've come to use this quote in teaching platforms is through actually working through it backwards. Again, if he would allow, I like to say, we're either "heading to a storm, in a storm, or coming out of a storm." It's just being use in the reverse order. Let me clarify as to how the Holy Ghost has given me the revelation of this quote.
We're either...
"Heading to a storm" -Rev. Dr. H. Beecher Hicks, Jr.
Frederick Landy's translation of this part would be that we are "Heading to a 'state-of- transition.'" This means that we are heading to a process of changing from a previous state of, may it be education, job position, living condition, etc., in life. It means that one is about to enter into a process of changing.
EVIDENCE that one is "Heading to a 'state-of-transition'":
- When those who usually have something smart or negative to say about you seem to now be your best friend. You may just be heading to a 'state-of'-transition'.
- When those that usually are asking you for many favors are now the one's doing many favors for you, you may just be heading to a 'state-of-transition'.
- When your children who are usually "off-the-wall" are now "little angels", my friend you may just be heading to a 'state-of-transition'.
These are just a few examples, but the reason why these are the most accurate examples, as given through my own previous experiences and the unctioning of the Holy Ghost, is because it's like the saying "it's always quietest before a storm." Think about it! The next time the meteorologist on your local news states that a major storm will begin around 6 p.m., go outside at about 5:30 p.m. or so and just observe how quiet it is. The birds are nowhere to be found and even your own dog or cat is in a place preparing to "weather the storm". Isn't it quite amazing how the animals have sense enough to prepare to weather the storm, yet most of mankind seems to just go about acting nonchalant or without worries.
Please do understand me, I am not advising anyone to begin to worry or stress, but rather I am advising that when everything seems "too good to be true"," that is when we need to be praying the most. When things are going awesome, do rejoice because it is going to last for a while, but then that is when the next state will be coming along soon and that's being "In a storm."
***Please note that everyone does not experience these states at the same time. But for the ones that are "heading to a storm" as revealed through the Holy Ghost, just let others know "I'm heading to a 'state-of-transition'".
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"In a storm" -Rev. Dr. H. Beecher Hicks, Jr.
Frederick Landy's translation of this part would be that we are "In a 'state-of- transition, close to reaching our destination.'" This means that we are currently in a storm but once being in the storm for a while (i. e., a couple of days, weeks, months or even year) there has to come a time to declare over ourselves that a destination will be reached, more sooner than later.
While being in a 'state-of-transition' it is quite convincing to believe that God is nowhere around and that there is no support system to tap into in order to receive what one needs to endure to the end and get close to reaching the destination. Don't believe that hype, God is as much in control in a storm as He is when one is "heading to a storm". In that regard a destination is simply a change, promotion, new level or even dimension in life that has been revealed to you through the Holy Ghost. (I Corinthians 2:10)
Hebrews 10:25 comes to mind in this state and it says, "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." We must not forget that the saints of God are the ones that we can find words of encouragement and above all it is definitely through the preached word, that confidence in knowing that we can endure until the end is achievable. What many fail to remember is II Timothy 2:3 where the apostle Paul urged Timothy, "Endure hardship with me as a good soldier of Christ Jesus". Notice the wording apostle Paul stated, a "good" soldier. To be a "good" soldier is to have one's comrades back in battle. A "good" soldier does not turn on his or her comrades and instead of shooting the enemy, shoots him or her. That is quite absurd!
What I am saying is that during the time of being in a storm, we must seek counsel first and foremost from God through the Word of God (Holy Bible) and pray for strength through the power of the Holy Ghost to endure and persevere. From there get to the house-of-God to gain the strength from the saints and the preached Word of God, which is needed. The enemy along with our own minute thinking can cause us to become deceived into thinking that we can survive without the worship experience with the inclusion of the preached word at the local church which is a part of the universal church or the body-of-Christ (all of God's churches across this world as a whole).
You may have noticed that I did not list any "EVIDENCES" of being "in a storm"/"'state-of'-transition, but close to reaching your destination'", and it is simply because we all know whether or not we're in a storm. The evidence is quite evident. That will preach right there, "Evident evidence!" Though it may seem like the storm is not going to let up, keep the faith, because as it is written in Psalm 30:5, "For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.".
***Please note that everyone does not experience these states at the same time. But for the ones that are "in a storm" as revealed through the Holy Ghost, just let others know "I'm in a 'state-of-transition, but I'm close to reaching my destination'".
What we will realize is that just like in traveling may it be via the airplane, when the plane is behind schedule may it be because of weather conditions or to change the crews, the passengers that have just gotten off the previous plane preparing to aboard the next flight now have to wait longer than they had expected. As I like to say, when things like that occur and layovers happen in life, it really is "just like God!" Why? Think about when you are in a storm or layover, it presents opportunities for you to meet new people, which God himself had already pre-destined for you to meet, in order to gain knowledge and even assistance needed to launch your dreams and aspirations into full gear as given in the last stage of "coming out of a storm" or "reaching your destination."
I like to put it like this: "Friends may come and friends may go, but that's ok, it just lets you know where God is taking you everybody can't go. But do be kind, still be nice; live your life, still treat them right, because you never know how they will help you grow." Never burn your bridges too fast, but do move readily into the future with the pre-destined assistance and all the new contacts that God has given to you. This leads me to the final state.
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"Coming out of a storm" -Rev. Dr. H. Beecher Hicks, Jr.
Frederick Landy's translation of this part would be that we have "Reached our destination." This does not in any way mean that we have "arrived", but simply that we have been tried in the fire and have come out as pure gold.
EVIDENCE that we have "Reached our destination":
To fully understand this I will simply give the old saying, "it's always darkest before dawn." For the sake of explaining, it is a perfect saying for the context, but in all truth this actually would prove to be wrong. There is actually a little light before the sun rises in the morning. The only time, as one has researched, it can be darkest before dawn, in that sense, is when the moon has not been out during the particular night before. With that, it still holds to be true to this contextual usage.
Think about it! When the Word of God, the Lamp unto our feet and Light unto our path as given in Psalm 119:105, is actively incorporated in a storm it becomes easier to come out of the storm stronger and more wiser than when once entering. To have "reached your destination" it simply means that the season of transition is now over and despite the layover you were able to aboard the next flight out to reach the next level in your life.
What becomes EVIDENCE that we have "Reached our destination" can be simply summed up in all of the "Heading to a storm" EVIDENCES becoming reversed. Consider...
Instead of...
- Those that usually have something smart or negative to say about you seeming to be your best friend, they turn back to being your "worst enemy."
Be mindful, it's not them, but it is the spirit of error working in them. What will also happen is, though these individuals may not even be around once you've "reached your destination" someone else will seem to, in a sense, "take their place." Take note of how fast those around you begin to envy and belittle you, even if you have just taken that new position or moved to a new department on your job; new ministry within the church: Worship Leader, Chairman of the Deacons, let alone now preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ; being the new addition to a new neighborhood in a new city and state. Isn't it amazing how people who barely know you begin to make obscene gestures and odd comments toward you? Don't worry, God's got it all in control!
Instead of...
- Those who are usually asking you for many favors, doing you favors, they end up going back to asking favors from you. The reason is because since they see that you have now "reached your destination", they feel that even though you can give them more than what you had given before. The thing about this is you may not even be physically in the same department or functioning within a previous position on the job anymore; you may not even be physically staying in the same city or state anymore, yet they still feel obligated to ask for favors and at the same time want you to comply right then and there.
Consider it! This is how you know you have "reached your destination." With this state we have to, through the power of the Holy Ghost, staying consistent in the Word of God and in prayer, let the enemy know, I am not who I use to be! I've been elevated! Stop trying to belittle me! Let me advise you though, if you feel the urge to say this to someone, please have sought the counsel of the Lord as given by Proverbs 19:21, because you may get your feelings hurt. It's like the seven sons of Sceva who were commanding demons to come out and the demons told them in Acts 19:13-16, "We know Jesus and we know Paul, but who are you?" Be discerning!
- When your children who are usually "off-the-wall" are back to being "off-the-wall", my friend, just pray even the more for your children. You have "reached your destination."
Think about it! What children, especially if you've taken a new job offer and have moved to a new state, let alone to a foreign country, away from their friends, grandma and grandpa, the church they really felt at home at, will not begin to act out? It is quite normal for children to have challenges in adjusting to a new place.
Not even that, let's say you take a new position and you decide to let the children stay with their mother or father (given both or in the home), but if not, they stay with their grandparents or a close relative (your brother or sister), the child(ren) will still be longing to see your face, but because you're traveling so much it brings about the conflict of direct physical communication. We all know technology has closed the gap in having direct communication, but when I say "direct physical communication" I mean "direct physical communication", such as a physical hug and kiss. Believe God for the move or destination and pray that He sanctions it even the more and everything will be just fine!
Lastly, once you've "reached your destination" don't just "check-in at the hotel" and sit around and watch the same television shows that you usually watch back at home. You may want to do that later on, but what I'm saying is do "check-in at the hotel", but before venturing off into new territory take the time to give God thanks and establish a "bethel" (Genesis 35). Now this is the most important, in one's opinion, having been "in a storm/"'state-of-transition', but close to reaching your destination". Think about this, there were others that did not make it to their proper flight on time because they ending up losing their baggage, had too many restricted things in their baggage or was too busy talking to the wrong people during the layover, which in turn caused them to be, unfortunately still in their storm.
With knowing this, it does not mean we must become proud and boastful, but rather humbled in knowing that it was because of the grace of God that we have "reached our destination". This is the most important part! Why would we not give God all the praise, glory and honor which is due Him anyway? We've taken on the mentality that God did not really do too much in helping us. God forbid, to go on with that mentality. Give God what is due Him! He is worthy of all the praise, glory and honor.
When others see you worship Him in such a radical and authentic way they may try to figure out your worship, but it's as Bishop Larry Trotter & The Holy Spirit Choir would say from the song "My Worship is For real", you can simply say or sing, "You don't know my story and all the things I've been through. You can't feel my pain, what I had to go through to get here. You'll never understand my praise, don't try to figure it out, because my worship, my worship is for real." Plainly put! I challenge you to apply the proper declaration to whatever state you may be in right now in your life!
Keep the faith, you're almost there! -fal
Sources:
Hicks, H. Beecher Jr. Preaching through a storm. Grand Rapids: Harper Collins, 1987. E-book.
Gibson, Daryl R. Darkest before dawn. Amazon, 7 March 2005. www.weekdaywisdom. 03 June 2011.
Trotter, Bishop Larry & the Sweet Holy Spirit Combined Choirs. "My Worship is For real". Tell the devil I'm back. USA: Tyscot Records, 2001.
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