Several months ago, I was contacted by someone who was put off by something they read from another writer in one of our online groups. They interpreted the writing presented as “something being not right and please watch that person.” So when I re-read that post, the Lord said to me: “No, Theresa. The writing is of me BUT the person who wrote it grew up in a different time and when they write, they are relating out of that time.”
It was then that the Lord began to speak to me deeply about GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES in Scribal Ministry. (We all write out of the times in which we live in some way — some even writing BEYOND their time. Our present society and climate has and will always influence the generations that are a part of it and that includes speaking from the past and of the past.)
Immediately, I thought about my mother and my grandmother. They would say things to me like, “I don’t know what’s wrong with these young people these days! When I was young we would never…..” And so the story goes. You can stick anything you like there that shows “generational differences” in processing life around us. Today, this rising generation is so far removed from the move of God that established believers in the 50s, 60s and early 70s. It’s foreign to them.
I tell you what, I see NOW that that was a not the case! EVERYTHING my grandmother said to me was relevant, I just didn’t have the desire to seek to hear. Those things that we don’t often understand we quickly dismiss. In your writing circles, groups, etc. you will always have WISDOM around you. If you’re very, very young (let’s say 25 or younger) some things you read and hear about the Lord may seem very out-dated to you — especially old-school teachings on hell, the rapture, the millennial reign, salvation, healing and other foundational topics. The way this is taught today on our airways and in some congregations COMPLETELY rub against the voice of older patriarchs and matriarchs.
But understand this: Those topics are also taught with SUCH A MIXTURE and a PEOPLE SEEKING FOCUS in this present day! So much so, that when compared to the writings and teachings of those 30 to 50 years ago it’s like NIGHT & DAY!
Why are we talking about this?
As prophetic people, it is imperative that WE LEARN TO RESPECT & VALUE the differences in writing styles among scribes of the King. Understand that the root of legacy BEGAN with those who have come before us, and while this YOUNGER generation may see their contribution as “out-dated,” there will come a time when the WISDOM in those Words inspired by the Lord will SPEAK! They will be life-lines and igniters for those who read them…
I tell you, I thank God for the preservation of the writings of A. W. Tozer, Smith Wiggles Worth, Corrie Ten Boom, Leonard Ravenhill and countless others — especially when they teach on the foundational rock structures of our faith.
With that said, it is important to understand that each and every writing that flows from us by the spirit of the Lord is ALSO subject to our uniqueness in the Father (meaning HOW WE uniquely process and interpret what we receive; and the assignment that has been set before us.) Your experiences, how you’ve been taught, what has been rooted in you and even who has mentored you impacts and influences the interpretation of the Word of God that flows from you.
As we go about our ministries, I’m learning that Father has a way of connecting His sons with OTHER sons who have similar or not so similar backgrounds, personalities and even passions. This isn’t a negative, but a positive thing. The diverseness of God and His people is so very strategic. The sound in each one of His sent ones is assigned for a “specific task” at “designated points and times” in this earth realm. What we may not understand about one prophetic scribe, there are souls in the earth that are seeking “that specific” type of understanding.
The TRUMPET SOUND in each one of us draws the Spirit of those who are DESTINED to hear what the Lord is BLOWING THROUGH our lives! Everyone won’t relate to your heavenly scribal assignments. They are only for THOSE assigned to it or drawn by it. It is for this reason that we must stop the critical judgments and wild assumptions. (Please note that I am speaking about writings inspired by God and that are biblically sound.)
I often look at the type of worship music that I am drawn to — it is very contemporary. For me, I can hear the sound of the Lord in the midst of those singing and connect with what the Lord is blowing through them. I can also look back at my life in the Lord and tell you this: I grew up in environments that promoted praise and worship.
My husband, on the other hand, is drawn to old school gospel — and the music really ministers to him. It reminds him of his childhood gospel influences. He’s not too keen on “praise and worship.” But guess what, none of that matters. NEITHER ONE OF US have missed God in our choices. Our ears are simply tuned to different frequencies in this area and different sounds minister to us in purity and in truth.
If we do not learn to value the different administrations of scribal ministry in others, we run the risk of hurting the people of God and blocking the work of the Kingdom in them and through them. DISCERNMENT is our most POWERFUL weapon in this hour! It’s purpose is to DISCERN righteousness from unrighteousness! It’s purpose is to unfold and reveal the intents and purposes of a thing! If we are to discern, let this be the reason why.
It was Father’s discernment that brought this particular issue to light. It is SO EASY TO JUDGE what we don’t understand or what is foreign to us.
I can distinguish those “time differences” in the midst of writings…. quite easily, and respect those writings based on the Spirit of the Lord in which they were written. I am finding that as I mature in the things of the Lord, I am getting more understanding and insight into this specific area. You see, a writing by someone in their 70s or 80s will be very different from a writing by someone in their 20s, 30s or even 40s for that matter. Why? Because you’re seeing across generations…. and you’re seeing through experiences and circumstances that quite honestly one would not fully understand unless they lived through the influences of those times.
One of the mistakes this younger generation makes is that they miss AND disregard the beauty in these differences. YET, I am also compassionate to the challenges of THIS generation — knowing that they are not receiving the FULLNESS of the gospel message, but a watered down, people pleasing one. So the depth of God in me, often has me pray for them when they walk the halls of this ministry. My prayer is simple: Open their hearts Father to the WEIGHT of your Word.
Every since I was very young, my closest and dearest friends have always been 20 to 30 years or more my senior. The same is true for my husband. I’m not kidding! I have about five or six friends RIGHT NOW that I talk to regularly, GO TO THE MOVIES WITH, go sit and have lunch with that fall into this category. They are just as silly (in the Lord) as any of the people my age — just so much richer in wisdom. My husband and I talk about this often. Father said to us one day, “I’ve surrounded you with wisdom…. glean!”
Scribes, if you have a literary ministry, a publication or writing group or whatever — ask Holy Spirit to raise your awareness in this area concerning the wise among us. Not only do we want to be sensitive to the generational differences in scribal ministry, but we also don’t want to miss a visitation from the Lord. I know that certain magazines, writing groups, etc. focus on a particular sound (from a natural perspective); but I tell you, our focus should be on “HEARING GOD” — not a writing style. In the ministry of love (which we’ve been given), we should be able to tap into the heavenly realm to know how to discern and respond to God’s people when they come.
The bottom line is this: This conversation isn’t just about writing styles and generational differences, but it is about preserving a holy and righteous legacy for this rising generation and the generation to come. Father needs the sound blowing from you RECORDED & PRESERVED! Why? People of God, in every generation there are people carrying the similar sounds of Elijah, Ezekiel, Peter, Esther and so forth. God wants to extend His hand to everyone!
My voice, even now, is reaching the ears of those assigned to this message — in tone, presentation AND IN TRUTH. Just as the writings others present will do the same. Let us continue to embrace and celebrate our differences — even in scribal ministry — in the Lord Jesus Christ.
