in my spiritual formation class yesterday, my professor, who i bestow utmost respect unto basically blew me away. she told us that she prayed for each person in the class and asked the Lord to give her a verse and a word for them. i immediately thought, that was very kind of her to give us a verse. however, after the first word, i realized that she was really speaking prophetically to each of us. these verse were really declarations from the Father over our lives.
i immediately began to feel a confirmation in my spirit as she went down the order of the class, sharing her (God's heart) for them. she was even moved to tears a few times. my closest friends in the class received unbelievable words about:
the anointing on their life to change this generation, about their ability to combine wisdom and humility in teaching, to be able to know that they could do anything and God would be behind it, to stand before kings and interpret those things that others couldn't with wisdom and tact, to know that the Lord is singing his love over them constantly as protection, and that they should embrace their leadership ability for they have been faithful.
throughout the class, i just begin to feel the Lord really stirring some things up for people to encourage them in and tell them.
then she said, "jason..." and my heart became as tumultuous as the sea in the midst of a storm. she quoted numbers 13.30 about Caleb basically seeing not the obstacles and not the challenges, but sees the promise and the potential of what God has in store. she spoke on about how Caleb was full of youthfulness and that he lived a long life and that God was going to do that in me, and eventually give me the mountain (Hebron) as an inheritance.
immediately, i had a flash back to right after i got saved and the Lord had been using the story of Caleb to blow me away and to encourage me to be bold in him. i can honestly say that i have not been as bold as i can be about the things of God, but that is what was so special about this word because God has just began to bring some of those old things to surface in my life. the authority, the overcoming spirit, the unwillingness to take 'no' for an answer. there is a new tenacity for the things of God and what he has spoken and promised. this word was pregnant with meaning to me for it was truly a commentary on so many aspects of my life.
one of these aspects is about my relationships with people. for some reason, i never look at the main characters, always the overlooked ones. i.e. Gideon, Caleb, Jonathan (Saul's son), Barnabus. it's not that they are less important or aren't mentioned, but most of the time others are heralded (Joshua, David, Paul, respectively). this heart of Caleb to be one to remind those around him to go and overcome is latent in all of these men. Barnabus saw in Paul what most did not see, Jonathan committed his entire life and kingdom to David, yielding all that he had. Caleb submitted to Joshua as his commander and supported him in all that he did. it was just incredible that God has placed me in so many people's lives as this 2nd guy. most the people i am around are the Joshua's, David's and Paul's, which is awesome. i realize that my heart is always to see them reach their goals for the kingdom of God, which in turn causes my dreams to come true, much like Caleb.
ironically, since i first "encountered" the spirit of Caleb when i was a young believer, i have always wanted to name a son caleb. maybe just as a reminder of what God is saying. this word was that reminder of the passion and vigor of Caleb. this passion and vigor for the kingdom and for the leaders of the kingdom led him to living in 2 generations the one of the wilderness as well as the promised land. how incredible is that? i am encouraged that God is going to use me as a person who is going to bridge the generations and encourage both generations to "go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it."
thus, i embrace this "different spirit" of Caleb and follow the Lord fully so i might go into all he has called me unto"and the land had rest from war."
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