Will You Run With Me?
- Angelique Wilson
- Jun 23, 2024
- 7 min read
A call to action. Will you join Him in the race to restore the nations to the Kingdom of God?
I woke up a few mornings ago with what you would call an 'ear worm'. It was a particular song, Ready to Run, from One Direction - my favourite band from my teenage years. However, I hadn't heard the song, or even thought of it for that matter, in years! So, why was it running around in my head?
I leant into the peculiarity of it, as I had come to realise that in the strange moments such as these, the Lord may be saying something. Call it far-fetched, over-spiritualised, whatever you want! But, for those with ears to hear and eyes to see, the Lord is calling us to something more.
I put the song on and listened to the lyrics, I had to overlook 'the devil being in the smile', but once I arrived at the chorus I felt my Spirit come into agreement with what was being said.
There's a lightning in your eyes I can't deny
Then there's me inside a sinking boat, running out of time
Without you I'll never make it out alive
But I know, yes I know we'll be alright
...
There's a moment when you finally realise
There's no way you can change the rolling tide
But I know, yes I know that I'll be fine
This time I'm ready to run (oh-oh)
Escape from the city and follow the sun
'Cause I wanna be yours
Don't you wanna be mine?
I don't wanna get lost in the dark of the night
This time I'm ready to run (oh-oh)
Wherever you are is the place I belong
'Cause I wanna be free
And I wanna be young
I will never look back, now I'm ready to run
I'm ready to run
There's a future in my life I can't foresee
Unless of course I stay on course
And keep you next to me
There will always be the kind that criticise
But I know, yes I know we'll be alright
...
This time I'm ready to run (ready to run)
I'd give everything that I got for your love
As God is changing seasons, there is no way of stopping Him - He is determined. What He wants to do is coming, whether we like it or not. And, personally, I do not want to remain in the 'dark' - in the 'sinking boat' of old systems and structures.
This change may involve us to step out of our comfort zones - to take risks and steps of faith that are incredibly daunting. To progress with Him in a way that does not conform to the world. No! Instead, it makes us stand out from the world. The tall poppy syndrome is out and the poppies, under the hand of God, are rising. Yes, it will involve criticism and judgement from the world. Yes, it will involve persecution and push back from others. But, in the change, with His strength and protection, we can rest assured that we will be alright.
The Lord reminded me of His call to Jeremiah. Some of us feel too young, or incapable, to handle His Word and to say "yes" to the call. But, He is silencing that lie and directing us to step up, to get ready and to go out, sharing everything that He tells us.
This future that He is taking us to simply cannot be reached without Him. It will require supernatural miracles, appointments and opportunities. The doors that need to be opened for what He wants to do cannot be opened in our own strength, or by our own doing. We need Him next to us, and we have to continue to seek Him, fixing our eyes on Him, to remain on course. As we do this, His hand will protect and guide us and we needn't be afraid of the opposition that will come our way. He will give us the land where we set our feet! That is a promise!
Jeremiah 1:6-8 NLT
6 “O Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!”
7 The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you.
8 And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!”
9 Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said, “Look, I have put my words in your mouth!
10 Today I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms. Some you must uproot and tear down, destroy and overthrow. Others you must build up and plant.”
11 Then the Lord said to me, “Look, Jeremiah! What do you see?” And I replied, “I see a branch from an almond tree.”
12 And the Lord said, “That’s right, and it means that I am watching, and I will certainly carry out all my plans.”
Jeremiah 1:17-19
17"Get up and prepare for action. Go out and tell them everything I tell you to say. Do not be afraid of them, or I will make you look foolish in front of them.
18 For see, today I have made you strong like a fortified city that cannot be captured, like an iron pillar or a bronze wall. You will stand against the whole land— the kings, officials, priests, and people of Judah.
19 They will fight you, but they will fail. For I am with you, and I will take care of you. I, the Lord, have spoken!”
Joshua 1:3 NIV
I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.
The Lord had already asked me to leave the past behind. He had told me that we were moving onto greater things - upwards to greater callings. He had taken me through the process of 'breaking up with the past' and letting certain things go that would hinder what He wanted to do in and around me. He had asked me to set my eyes on where we are going - on Him - and weeks earlier I shared with my colleague that there was a sudden shift in my Spirit. I said to her, "It feels like I have suddenly stopped walking and now I see this image and I am running at full speed towards Jesus."
This is the posture that He wants us to have in this season. He wants us to run towards Him at full speed. There is no more time for dwindling and dawdling, for meandering and strolling. No. He is saying,
"Who will run with me?"
He is calling those who hunger for His heart - for His Kingdom. He is calling those who will lay down their lives to join Him in a great movement of His Spirit and will stand up against the darkness, proclaiming His Truth with great influence and authority.
After I thought I'd finished this post, the Lord dropped two phrases into my mind - "the Great Commission" and "Gatekeepers of Revival". I believe we are heading into a time of great commission and revival, and He has been preparing us for it. Individually, He has been revealing things to me through dreams, visions and divine encounters, hinting me towards what is to come - revival. I believe that this season has been a training ground for many and He is now about to send people out with His Spirit for the great harvesting of souls. In their journey, He will give many His supernatural power and authority and will provide divine increase and acceleration. It is a great responsibility. But the Lord wants to know,
"Will you be a gatekeeper of revival?"
It is an invitation to guard and open the door to revival - in our families, in our communities, in our schools and in our nations. The spiritual Gatekeeper has access and keys to God's glory, they guard, protect and preserve it and know how to lead others through the threshold. They open the door to allow and welcome God's presence in. From all that God has been revealing to me, I believe that He is taking us into a genuine move of God's glory that breaks through the darkness of our cities and our nations. (1 Chronicles 9:17-27). And He is saying,
"It is not too late to get swept into the current of where my Spirit is going. But if you hesitate too long, the tide of my Spirit will have moved on."
Matthew 28:16-20 NIV
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
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