Romans 8:22-23 NKJV

For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

There will be times in your life when God will keep you from fire. However, there will also be some other times when will take you THROUGH the fire.

Travail is one of the seasons where God will not take you out but will walk you through the season and see you safely to the other side.

Welcome to Travail Part 2

Last week, we had an amazing time during our Tuesday fellowship as Paps Emmanuel introduced this thought-provoking topic that stirred up spiritual restlessness.

If you’re yet to read Part 1, kindly do so first so that we can proceed together.

When a pregnant woman goes into labor, she knows she only has one option; give birth.

Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego were not women, yet they understood that some life situations have only one viable option and it is better to die at it than choose anything else. These three men knew that they had no option but to walk through the fire (literally). No amount of praying or begging could save them from this and they knew it, which is why they didn’t waste their time begging the king to go back on his decree.

Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego knew this about travail:

Daniel 3:17 NIV

If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand.

They also knew this about crazy faith:

¹⁸But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Has life ever backed you into a corner where you started questioning God? Asking Him why He is allowing you to go through a tough time. Reminding Him of all the sacrifices you have made for his kingdom? Like the time you went for a Kesha many miles away from home only for you to get drenched in rain and the hosts didn’t even give you a cup of coffee? Or the time you gave Sister Zee the little money you had because she told you she had no money for a new Praise and Worship attire and you ate ugali with plain water for the rest of the week? Have you ever found yourself wondering why you are going through hell despite it all? If you have not encountered such a season, we bless the Lord for you. But for the rest of us, tunapambana na hali.

Jesus found Himself in such a position once. He knew that there is no resurrection without death. He also knew that death is one of the scariest human experiences.

Matthew 26:39 (NIV)

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

In a moment of great pain, Jesus would have wanted not to go through with the process. However, He knew that this was not a process He could pray Himself out of. He also knew that even though He was exceedingly sorrowful, His death would birth something glorious: Redemption…Reconciliation of God and His people. He knew like a woman in labor that the travail season may be full of anguish, yet this pain is forgotten the moment the child comes into this world.

In those seasons of persecution and great pain, we often find ourselves praying, “Lord take this pain away from me.” At times, we even threaten and give God ultimatums. “God, if this painful situation is not diffused by Sunday, I will not go to church.” Or “I will go back to serving once you give me that job that I have been praying for.” We beg, cry, and give ultimatums instead of ending the prayer as Jesus did, “Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

Let me give you a little secret for when you find yourself in such a painful, uncomfortable travail season:

Keep moving!

Exodus 14: 15 (MSG)

God said to Moses: “Why cry out to me? Speak to the Israelites. Order them to get moving.”

We speak and sing of God splitting the sea so that Israelites could walk on dry ground. But we do not pay attention to the first portion of that miracle; Israelites had to break camp. They get to get moving first. 

Our God is progressive. This means that His leading is when we are moving. 

Do you remember the story I told you last week of my friend in labor? It is advisable to keep your body moving when in active labor (and even long before the labor) as this can help speed up the process. Her labor took quite a while, meaning that at some point, she got tired and decided to lie on the bed. When the midwife came, he scolded us for letting her sleep, telling us that in her labor stage, sleeping might slow down the labor or even stop it altogether. 

In a season of travail, you cannot afford to sleep. You cannot afford to stagnate. 

Stagnation opens you up to attacks. It leaves you under the enemy’s siege. Progress leaves you under God’s hedge of protection. Who do you want to surround you? 

Travail season can be overwhelming. Nevertheless, keep moving.

 

You may feel yourself growing weary, but still you need to keep moving

And as you move, this is God’s promise to you:

1 Peter 5:10 (ESV)

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.