The Process of Change: Saying Nothing is Saying Something

Hey, beautiful people. Happy Wednesday, and welcome to Coffee Dates with Jesus. I am so glad that you decided to join me today. Grab your coffee (or tea), and let’s dive into what Holy Spirit has been teaching me.

What is one thing in your life that you dislike the most? Mine is carrots, but since carrots will not work for this post today, we will have to choose another one from my top five. I like change, but I am not the biggest fan of the process of change. I live by the motto: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.“ I do this because if I convince myself that "I am okay, I do not need change, and I will always be comfortable where I am," then, I will start to believe it, but Holy Spirit would not allow that. Change will eventually happen, but why do we have to go through the process?

In 2021, the process of change hit me like a ton of bricks. It hit in the beginning, middle, and end. It was filled with new places, new people, new experiences (good and bad), wins, losses, happiness, sadness, anger, etc. Each season had each emotion, and I vividly remember crying and screaming at God to make it stop. I wanted to be off the train and off of the roster, and if it meant that I would become stagnant in my life as a person, then that is something that I was willing to do. I was ready to give up. So, I asked Holy Spirit: "How do I make this process stop? What do you want from me?" To sum it up, this is what Holy Spirit said, ".................................." Nothing. Not a peep. Why? At the time, I did not know nor did I understand, but looking back, I understand that I had to go through the fire: the process of change. The fire was my mountain.

I used to think that if you prayed that your prayers would be answered immediately or that you would be snatched out of any situation that you do not want to be in. You learn in church: "speak to the mountain, and it will be moved," and although this is true, "mountain moving" strategies do not look the same in each season. Holy Spirit had to let me know that He WAS AND IS able to snatch me out of the fire, but His silence was telling me: "No, Taleigh, it is time for you to learn." My "mountain moving" strategy that Holy Spirit was teaching me was: "Learning to be obedient in a season of purification." This made me think of the process of gold being refined.

Whenever a goldsmith is purifying gold, it HAS to go in the fire. Before the goldsmith even begins to purify the gold, there are steps that have to be taken. First the goldsmith has to put on gear to protect themselves. Then, they have to make sure that the fire is at least 1,947.52 degrees before they puts the gold sample in. Now, the goldsmith is able to start. Next, the gold is placed into the fire to be refined. After that, the gold is separated from the lead. When gold is separated from the lead, it is at its purest form because, at this stage, it is moldable. Finally, the gold is molded. This process explains so much about the process of change.

When going through the process of change (the fire), we must learn that, in order to go to the next level or season that is God-ordained, we have to go through the fire. We go through the fire to be separated from people, places, and things that are no longer fulfilling our lives or are a part of the will of God. You cannot go into the next level or new season as the same. Each season that we go through requires new people, new places, and most importantly a better version of yourself.

I learned that the fire was not my enemy. The fire was not the thing harming me; it was me. My disobedience, governed by fear, caused me more harm than anything. I learned that going through the purification process is never easy, but it is doable. It seems to be impossible, and sometimes we might unintentionally scream at God when we are frustrated with change. To do what God has called us to, there will be times we will have to go through the fire. You cannot walk into the next season as you are because growth and change work together. The only way to do that is to go through the fire so the Purifier can bring you forth as beautiful, pure gold in this new season.

When Holy Spirit says nothing, trust Him in the process that He is saying something.

-Taleigh E. Reed, Coffee Dates with Jesus