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Grasshopper mentality

Wanda Smith's column from this week's issue of The Moose Jaw Express
OnTheFrontPorch_WandaSmith
On the Front Porch by Wanda Smith

I want to be a voice of hope to you in this unprecedented time. I know… you are likely tired of the word “unprecedented” and I understand! I have heard this word so many times, it almost leaves a sour taste in my mouth. However, we are truly living in times we have never been through before. Our normal has been interrupted and there has been an all-out attack on our freedoms. In times like these, we can get bogged down with fear, depression and hopelessness. 

As I’ve been pondering the state our world is in, I am reminded of the true historical account found in Numbers when Moses sent 12 men, each from different tribes, to spy out the Promised Land that the Lord had promised to the Israelites. “When Moses sent them to explore Canaan, he told them, “…See what the land is like and whether the people living there are strong or weak, few or many.  Is the land they live in good or bad? Do their cities have walls around them or not? Is the soil rich or poor? Does the land have trees or not? Do your best to bring back some fruit from the land.” (It was the season when grapes were beginning to ripen.) …they cut off a branch with only one bunch of grapes on it. They carried it on a pole between two of them.” Numbers 13:17-20,23b

After their return, “…this is what they reported to Moses: We went to the land where you sent us. It really is a land flowing with milk and honey. Here’s some of its fruit. But the people who live there are strong, and the cities have walls and are very large.’” (verses 27 & 28) They were intimidated by the giants in the land. The report was that “we were grasshoppers in their sight.” They had a grasshopper mentality.

Contrary to the popular vote, “Caleb told the people to be quiet and listen to Moses. Caleb said, ‘Let’s go now and take possession of the land. We should be more than able to conquer it.’” (Verse30) Caleb was of an opposite spirit!  He saw with eyes of faith. He saw they were well able to take the land; God had promised it to them!  

We are in a similar place. There are two reports. Which report will you receive? I am saying to you, as Caleb said to the Israelites, “Let’s go now and take possession of what God has promised us!” He has given many promises about our region, our province and our nation. We need to come in an opposite spirit to “the grasshopper mentality” and start to speak up, gather to pray, worship and change the narrative from fear to faith. God instructs us to guard, keep and occupy our land.  We must do it now or we will be overcome by the giants in the land. 

The ecclesia, otherwise known as the Body of Christ, is moving from the defensive (spiritual warrior mentality) to the place of ruling from our seat in the Kingdom of God. We aren’t waiting to be rescued out of here. We are learning to take our rightful place in the Kingdom of God to rule and reign in the spiritual realm. Join the momentum of prayer and intercession that is building across this land! There is a roar that is coming out of the church.

I have good news… we no longer have the grasshopper mentality! Join the roar. Jump in the river of where God is taking us! The Promised Land is just ahead!

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.  

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