Susan Narjala
Keeping it Real
Do We Let God Break Through Before The Breakthrough?
If there’s one word that’s tossed around in Christian circles, like glitter at a 7-year-old’s Unicorn-themed birthday party, it’s the term, “breakthrough.”
We pray for it. We believe it’s coming. We ask others to intercede on our behalf for it.
Books and blogs and Bible plans bandy the word about like an eager child with a new light-saber and too much energy.
And while I probably sound cautious about the term, I love me a good breakthrough.
God has sprinkled those stunning moments of undeserved grace at the most unexpected times in my life. I’ve experienced dramatic Red Sea moments where all I could do was stare awestruck at what was happening because I did not, even in the remotest sense, earn the blessing.
But as much as those breakthroughs in my life were unexpected, Scripture reveals that, oftentimes, breakthroughs are preceded by plain old run-of-the-mill obedience.
Consider the Israelites backpacking through the desert for 40 years because they were too stubborn and too fearful of man to trust God and take possession of the Promised Land. God let them wander along a route that seemed to have been drawn by a 3-year-old tracing the alphabet for the first time.
Even as you and I long for our breakthroughs, is God taking us down circuitous paths so we learn to trust and obey Him through the journey?
Do we let God break through those wilful and obstinate places in our lives so we’re ready for the breakthrough He has planned?
After 40 years of meandering, the Israelites finally arrive at the breakthrough moment. A whole nation stands on the banks of the Jordan River prepared to cross over to the Promised Land.
You may remember the story from the book of Joshua, chapters 3 and 4. It’s harvest season which means the river is in flood stage. God instructs the Levite priests to carry the ark — and step into this not-exactly-tame river.
I know those priests must have been spiritual heavyweights – but these were perfect conditions for white-water rafting, not wading. And, as I understand, the priests were not exactly outfitted with safety gear and life vests from the nearest Decathlon.
But the priests put their faith in a God who hadn’t failed them – and step into the gushing river.
The waters separate. And three million people walk down about three kilometers of a dry river bed which moments before was brimming over.
Even as you pray for your breakthrough, does God require you to step into the water in faith?
Do we let God break through those fearful places in our lives so we can experience the breakthrough He has planned?
What happens next in the story? Well, the priests could have waited for the slowest folk (you know, the ones who may have had too much manna and too few Zumba lessons) to mosey up to the bank and then called it a day. After all, their job was done and dusted when the last guy crossed over. Or was it?
Joshua 4 points out that the priests stayed on the dry river bed – for a while longer. God instructs Joshua to send one man from each tribe to pick up a stone from the river bed and create an altar of worship while the priests continue holding the ark.
Breakthroughs are incomplete until we give God the glory He deserves.
Often, we seize the victory – and just as quickly go back to asking for the next breakthrough. But is God is teaching us to stay on the river bed for a moment longer?
Do we let God break through our indifference and ingratitude so we can grasp the purpose of the breakthrough He has planned?
Let’s not brush past our breakthroughs. Let your breakthrough become a place of worship and an altar of praise.
And as we worship, may we grasp that the biggest breakthroughs often take place within our hearts. God breaks through our stubbornness, our fearfulness, and our thanklessness to ready us for the breakthroughs He has prepared.
Photo by Kristine Weilert on Unsplash
Comments
7 Comments
Siju Oommen George
Your writings are very simple to understand and I love it 🙂
I have been reading something related by John S. Holden:
The Divine Ministry of Delay – https://unveiling.org/1969/09/07/the-divine-ministry-of-delay/
Hope you will like it!
Susan Narjala
Hi Siju! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. I am yet to read the articles in detail – but they do seem interesting (and pretty deep – so I’ll need some strong caffeine for that!). Thanks again and many blessings. – Susan
YL Ingram
A good word. I also am wary of the word “breakthrough.” Along with that I have been hesitant, for the last several years, to take hold of themes for each new year: “This is the year of…(fill in the blank).“ With that being said, I do like breakthroughs and am waiting for a few in certain areas of my life. The waiting is a challenge, yet I am reminded that God is refining my character and continuously redirecting my desire toward him. I haven’t always had the best attitude, and am thankful for his patience and grace as he makes me more beautiful in his sight. I appreciate your words of wisdom that encourage me as I continue my journey and wait for my breakthroughs.
Susan Narjala
Hi! I love those words: refining my character and redirecting my desire toward Him. Thank you for sharing. Your words have blessed me today. – Susan
Siju Oommen George
Dear Ingram,
The weariness about this is something that we see all over the Christian world now 🙂
Anything less than God is supposed to make us weary as it is one of those many broken cisterns ( Jeremiah 2:13 ). Anything, whether it is breakthrough or healing or anything else when it becomes “a thing in itself”, it loses Life and dries up on us even if we happen to get it and experience a temporary high.
So the Psalmist has one desire, God alone! Gaze on His beauty ( Psalm 27:4 )! Soul FULLY satisfied by meditating on Him ( Psalm 63:5 ). Tobie van der Westhuizen writes something really good about “anticipation”.
https://naturalchurch.wordpress.com/2017/12/16/the-church-of-no-anticipation-part-1/
https://naturalchurch.wordpress.com/2018/02/04/the-church-of-no-anticipation-part-2/
Asha Menon
Love the candid and explicit manner in which the concepts ‘break through’ and ‘breakthrough’ have been juxtaposed. Powerful message. Thank you!
Susan Narjala
Thank you, Asha! I hope the article was a blessing to you! – Susan