Running Ahead.

Thank you for your prayers.

One day a friend came up to me
and said something odd.

"You are like the pointy end
of the spear."

There was a time when the romantic idea
of the "forerunner"
was going around the church.

There is nothing romantic
about running ahead of the pack.
There is more danger out ahead alone.

More often than not,
the pack behind you is happy
to shoot you in the back.

Running ahead is part
of the prophetic
calling.
It is part of the calling on the army of artists.
Run ahead
and make a way
for the coming of the Lord.
Run ahead
and make a way
for the coming of the Lord.

And I can promise you this.
Folks will not understand.
They will ask why you aren't doing the ministry thing.
They will ask why you are working so hard
but the fruit and the success is slim.
Folks will wonder what on earth is motivating you.

Nothing on earth is motivating you.
When you hear the call in the desert,
"Prepare the way of the Lord,"
and you go out to make a path
in the wilderness,
clearing it of stones,
and cutting back the underbrush,
you are called to a solitary calling.

You are not called to be a pack dweller.
You are called to a singular task:
Jesus is coming back.
He needs a landing strip,
and people need a road to meet him.
It's that simple.

And you,
if you hear this voice,
and follow it faithfully,
are honored with a unique task.

Make a way
for the coming of the Lord.

If you find yourself
running out ahead
in that dangerous place,
don't be surprised if you find
there is a Lion beside you.

He Never Fails,