This morning I saw in a dream I was in a car with some people travelling along and they saw a bunch of meerkats that they thought were cute and they invited them into the car. I was trying to tell them not to let them in, but they continued to let them in. And then shortly after that I saw another very cute animal that people wanted to pick up and cuddle, but it too was a very dangerous animal that would cause harm.
"There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death" Prov 14:12
For myself personally I am looking at next year and praying and asking the Lord for the plans for next year as many of you leaders may be doing the same. We can continue with what seems right and good, and has gone well in the past, but I believe the Lord is saying, be careful as what you think may seem right and good, actually may cause harm.
I encourage you, especially Pastors and Leaders, don't necessarily continue on in what you have done this past year in moving forward into 2019, even if it was good and produced a great harvest. God may have other things for you in the coming year.
For those who are not leaders or Pastors, but are thinking about their next steps in the Lord, please take the time to put it to prayer and to know the confirmation and peace in the Lord. Sometimes the things the Lord asks us to step into are not necessarily what we would naturally do, but as we step in we find God's purpose and plan for it.
Many years ago the Lord called Jim and I to China. At the time we didn't understand why, as there was no 'position' where we felt we fitted, it didn't seem to fit who we were as practical people with our skills and personality, and yet we could not get away from God's call for us to go there. We received confirmation though other people and one scripture was sent to us out of the blue, which was "stand firm, don't let anything move you". That one scripture spoke to us and helped us continue on when opposition came.
So we went still unsure as to why except the call of God on our lives that we could not deny. But as soon as we got there we saw why - we fitted! The Tibetan people were exactly like us, not because of 'spiritual or practical' reasons, but because of who we were as 'sheep and beef farmers', just like they were and our humour was the same as theirs. We were accepted and could relate on so many levels because we had similar backgrounds. So I want to encourage you that although sometimes things don't seem to make sense, God knows and sees the big picture of both who you are and what He is asking you to step into, that in the end produces and leads you to the desires of your heart, (Psalm 37) that you may not even be aware of that you have.
So please lets be careful what we 'pick up' this coming year that may be seem good, but not necessarily lead to the life that the Lord has for us.