In this session of Crushing by TD Jakes, we move through chapter 11; Spiritual Fermentation.
Pastor Jakes begins the chapter describing his visit to Israel, and visiting numerous places and brought our attention to the physical actions fo the Orthodox Jews who bring their prayers to the wailing wall and then “rock” and pray. It was explained that the Jews ‘rock’ to symbolize and remember how God was with them in the exodus and “moved” with them. It is a reminder of them begin chosen and how God moved with them through the wilderness.
How had God moved with you throughout your own times of wandering in the wilderness of life? Could you sense Him at the time or just as you look back?
In order to discover more of who we have become because of our crushing, we not only must rely on God’s power through His Holy Spirit but we must also spend more time getting to know Him. God is our Creator, our Heavenly Father, our Redeemer, and the Lover of our souls. Knowing that He wants us to spend time with Him, to know Him and to trust Him like never before, we begin to realize that He satisfies us in ways that nothing else can.
Focused on God as the source of all we need, we prioritize accordingly. Even when we want to be alone with Him, however, it doesn’t mean it’s easy. Our culture often discourages us from being alone in productive, soul-satisfying, undistracted ways. With online technology and social media, we can stay connected 24/7. We can also stay distracted, interrupted and frazzled 24/7 as well. Unfortunately, when we’re surrounded by people and always diverting our attention to the urgent instead of the eternal, we miss out on what we know we need and want most.
Pastor Jakes points out that certain blessings and assets seem to be only found in rest. He believes his best thoughts and peace of his heart are experienced when he is still with God. He explains that it is during those times that the Father loves to speak, without distractions and disturbances interfering. As we begin to rely on Him more and to hear His voice and follow His guidance, our new wine ferments into full maturity and flavor.
We must be clear, this time alone we are describing is not mere “personal time”, “down time”, “sleeping/resting” and relaxing. We are talking about deliberate, intentional time with God. Maybe like a retreat when you get away from the norm and you don’t even have cellphone service. Almost to the point of, there is nothing else to do but spend time with God.
Are you more of an extrovert and enjoy being with people most of the time? Or are you more of an introvert and need time alone to recharge? Regardless of which one you may tend to be, how does this aspect of your personality affect your relationship with God?
How comfortable are you spending time alone with God? how often do you make it a point to spend time with Him?
Other than Scripture, what helps you get closer to God? Talking to others about Him? Reading books to inspire your faith? Listening to music or singing worship songs? Something else?
We need to remember that making wine is a process. We must not overlook the fact that most wine, once bottled, is allowed to rest, to settle, usually i a cool, temperature-controlled environment such as a wine cellar or wine vault. Similarly, we must also allow ourselves to catch our breath after our crushing, fully regaining our strength before venturing in the new direction to which God calls us.
During this time of rest and final fermentation, we also discover that sweetness of true intimacy with God. He doesn’t merely free us and transform us just to refine us of our impurities and selfishness. No, he removes those distractions, obstacles, and sediments in our lives so we can be closer to Him, more aware of His presence, more grateful for His blessings, and ore attuned to His Spirit. God frees us to worship Him and praise Him, the ultimate purpose for which we are created.
Other than sleep, what are some typical ways you typically rest? It might not happen often enough, but what allows you to relax and recharge?
When was the last time you set aside specifically to rest and reflect on your relationship with God? How would you describe that time together?
Our relationship with God, especially at this new level we discuss, is comparable to a romantic relationship. After all, the church is the bride of Christ. Therefore, it shouldn’t surprise us that we can see the pattern of God’s wooing, both in the history of His relationship with the people of Israel but also in our individual lives. But even as we begin to grow, recognize new growth in ourselves, and experience a deeper love and dependence on God, we still sometimes struggle.
Like someone jilted at the alter on their wedding day, we might harbor a tinge of fear, skepticism, and doubt that we will yet be crushed once again. We might be tempted to listen to the enemy of our souls, who wants us to believe God is not good, not for us, and therefore should not be trusted — when, in fact, just the opposite is true. God is always good,, always for our good, and always to be trusted.
Just as God pursued Israel and brought her out of bondage and into the Promised Land, He has brought us out of our own place of oppression — our addiction, our abuse, our pain, our loss. But once He opens the Red Sea for our own personal exodus, we must continue to trust Him even if we are still wandering in the wilderness trying to follow Him to our next destination. We might feel disoriented at times and long for old, sinful comforts — former lovers, shopping, sports, hangouts, working too much, prescription medications, or some other means of temporary escape. But these are not to be trusted, and eventually we must confront our growing pains and forge a new path by following God to where we have never been before.
What ongoing fears and anxieties prevent you from deepening your intimacy with God? How can you surrender these to Him and know that He has your future in the palm of His hand?
When have you sensed God wooing and pursuing you? How does it make you feel to know He loves you like no other?
What currently stands in the way of you going deeper in your commitment to loving and serving God? What will it cost you to move this obstacle or eliminate this barrier?
The movement of God in step with His people did not end when they reached the Promised Land. In fact, it was just beginning. While He moved with the children of Israel in the wilderness during their wandering, in the New Testament, we see God walking among His people through the incarnation of God took human form in Jesus Christ. Finally, through the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, we see how God resides in His people, moving through them to advance His kingdom.
God still moves with us and in us and through us today. His presence has always permeated our paths. Now as we begin to shift our perspective on crushing, we experience the indwelling of the His Spirit and recognize the transformation taking place within us. None of our suffering is wasted. God never wastes a hurt. We are fermenting in order to be something we could never be on our own. Instead of “earthly fruit” we have become “heavenly wine”.
Look at your schedule for the next week, find at least 30 minutes to block off for you to spend time doing nothing but relaxing (not sleeping) and enjoying quality time with the Lord.
We will continue this week through chapter 12, the “Eternal Pairing” and reconvene next Saturday.
Jakes, T. D. Crushing: God Turns Pressure into Power. FaithWords, 2019.