WHERE HAVE WE BEEN? 2002 in many ways was a year of renovation, restoring things that needed new life, and getting rid of things that no longer held value for us. There was also an element of simplifying our lives and coming to divine order. For some of us this was the continuation of a process that began in y2k.

And, for some the year was one of moving ahead in relatively unfamiliar territory, both spiritually and physically, which was both rewarding in certain aspects as times of expansion (lengthening cords and strengthening stakes), and disappointing in some ways, particularly as stretching destroyed preconceived ideas, expectations and fantasies.

There was also a releasing of people, things, limitations, and bondages from the past. Spiritual foundations and goals became stronger and more clearly defined, and the chasm began to widen between those whose hearts are totally set on the Lord and those who want to serve themselves. Struggles were born of the flesh and the desire to serve both self and God. Fence-sitters found it most uncomfortable to sit on the pinnacle of compromise. So... Phil 3:13-14 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

WHERE ARE WE NOW? Satan has sent temptations by way of disappointment, distractions, apathy, insecurity, jealousy, comparisons, unworthiness, and rejection. We have been experiencing a wide variety of minor setbacks. The good ground of our hearts is being challenged as we fight the tendency for it to become a barren wasteland, a frozen tundra. We are once again recovering from the "holiday trap" that began the end of October. We still need to completely release offenses and forgive. This is a time for breaking up our fallow ground, the hardness of our hearts, for this is the season for planting. The harvest that springs up will be directly related to what we do now.

Col 3:1-15 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

WHAT'S AHEAD? The time of intense renovation is ending, and that which has been renewed will bear the fruit of enjoyment. That which was left undone will be undone still or will take twice the effort to complete, for the season has passed.

The flesh continues on, but we are learning and have learned to overcome the temptations that used to overwhelm us. Now is the time to make great progress in overcoming old places of failure and bondages.

2003 will be a year of either breakthrough or breakdown - old goals will either be further established or terminated.

The whirlwind that both gathers and scatters will continue. Those who make an effort to gravitate toward the eye of the storm (peace), which is God, will be gathered, and those who do not resist the chaos will be scattered to the wind. So gravitate towards the center and hold on!

This year will also be a year of accountability and of settling old accounts. It is a year of release much like the Old Testament type of Jubilee. We must release people from the debt they owe us and from offenses if we want to be released and be free. This is the heart of a true steward.

Prophetic gifting will be found more profound and more prolific in laity. We will begin to see the prophetic gift come forth from the most unlikely candidates and people we've never heard of.

We will continue to walk through strange and unfamiliar spiritual territory, but we must not fear because God Himself will direct our every step as we keep our hearts and minds attuned to His leading. We will find ourselves entertaining new ways of thinking and evaluating and doing things, but we must not discard anything that has been set on the firm foundation of our faith or that which has been tried and found to withstand the fires of purification. The phrase here is "fearless diversification." Some have based their value system on who people are, and others have based their value on what people do. God will have us base our value on Christ in them, the hope of glory.

We can expect transformation and metamorphosis. Many will break out of the proverbial cocoon, spread their wings and fly.