Category: Words of Study & Instruction: Scribes & the Arts

Copyright 2017 Theresa Harvard Johnson
(Before reading this, I strongly encourage you to check out my previous blog post, Ordained Too Soon. Also, take a few minutes to read 2 Peter 1, which is in part, the backdrop of this blog post.)

Are you walking in an undeveloped and/or Ineffective ministry calling?

Unfortunately, so many people of God are indeed. They may be mature in their understanding of the Word, in managing life…. but stand in need of understanding the things of the apostolic and prophetic. They have taken on Ephesians 4:11 offices completely ill equipped to operate in them effectively. So much so, that basic evidences of living life in the Spirit can be mistaken or seen as a specific calling when it is simply a sign of life in the prophetic, not necessarily a call to an office or mantle.

The bottom line is this: When God seals a person in a mantle; it is because they are capable of walking it out in its developed and effective place.

In a vision, I held a boiled chicken egg in my hand. It was cooling. When the shell was peeled off, the egg held its shape on one end, and the egg whites began to disintegrate on the other… with the slightest of pressure. Within seconds, I had runny egg whites and clumps of egg flowing through my fingers. The yolk, partially cooked, dripped like sludge with it.

Copyright 2017 Theresa Harvard Johnson

“I do not ordain potential!”

This phrase rocked me as it roared from the mouth of Dr. Kluane Spake on the night of my apostolic commissioning service just over a month ago as she shared with the crowd concerning the call of an apostle. You could have heard a pin drop in the ballroom as everyone seemed to enter slow motion mode – at least for a few seconds – as they bit down on that one, profound statement and the explanation that would follow.

I believe some of us considered this truth: “Ministry callings are about the existing, mature operation of a calling – not simply the signs.” It is important to note, however, that the term ordain does not necessarily mean “ordination” as in a formal ceremony in which someone is bestowed the title of minister that is common among Christ-centered organizations. It is also the act of proclaiming, decreeing and affirming that something fully exists with surety. From this perspective, we can better understand what that aha moment may have been about.

 

Copyright 2016 Theresa Harvard Johnson

In the course of our lives, it’s easy to focus on the big things that seem to set us back or get us off-course. This year, however, I am challenged in my own life to recognize some of the little things that go unnoticed – especially in the midst of busy, complicated lives filled with family, ministry and entrepreneurial activities.

I heard this, “Make it a point Theresa to be at rest in everything you do.” Listen, I’m not going to bog you down with Scripture. I’ll simply say that rest is a state of being – even in the midst of a busy, complicated life. I’ve allowed people, false obligations and commitments and all forms of self to steal my peace over the years. Listen, we control our atmosphere. Period. And you – right here and now – can choose to leave three critical things behind and place yourself on a path of intimately knowing and experiencing rest.

It’s good to be able to let go without self-inflicted condemnation and guilt!

Copyright 2016 Theresa Harvard Johnson
Learning from Bird’s Blog | Image is Public Domain

There are all kinds of people, congregational communities and obscure groups in scripture. The scripture also speaks about all kinds of birds. I believe birds represent some aspect or form of the people of God today, and truly we can gain untold wisdom by observing them. Sometimes, the best lessons in life can be shared through analogies and metaphorical teachings… with Holy Spirit leading. I pray that the insight here is a blessing to you.

Job 35:11, “Who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds of the heavens?”

The familiar pigeons that populate our city streets and marketplaces enjoying the company of passersby and other scavengers migrated to North America from Europe, Asia and Africa sometime in the 1600s.  They are known as gentle, wise, monogamous, wary and clever birds. Many men have studied them throughout history and been amazed by what they have learned. Among their most unique and astounding traits is that some breeds have a unique, extraordinary ability and contribution to the world: They are the most excellent navigators on earth. They are able to find their way back to any point of origin over hundreds of miles with sheer ease. This may not seem like a big deal to most people, but among living and breathing creations – they can do this over distances that would cause most people and animals to be extremely disoriented and confused.