Is the Prophetic Getting Crowded?

 For a long time, the prophetic was not a major focus

I have always tested high for the prophetic gifts in the Spiritual Gifts tests that churches and work were given to me. It always left me confused because I didn't see any examples of the prophetic around me despite hearing how all the gifts were equally important. 

I didn't know what the first step was and didn't even know who I could ask about it. On top of that, I didn't recognize it when God was revealing things prophetically to me. Looking back, I can recognize that He was giving me a glimpse of what was coming.

I am wondering if there are many others out there like me... who have a gift for the prophetic but didn't know what to do with their gift when it appeared to not be practiced for many of us. Between the growth of social media and the rise of top prophetic voices, not only has awareness of the gift has grown, but people want to practice it because they have always felt a pull towards the gift. 

Has it become like a crowded theater?

The focus of the prophetic right now is surrounding the national political events in our nation. 

As a result, it feels like many are trying to jump on that trend. But if jumping on a trend, is it really prophetic or is it a reflection of what they have been hearing other prophets saying? 

The prophetic names were hear the most from now have been sharing words about our nation and our government long before it was cool. They have established themselves by showing their accuracy long before people could imagine thing played out as they did. Doesn't mean they are perfect, but they had time to learn discernment about whether they hearing from God or to themselves. As with any gift, we have to use it to learn. it is not a skill grown overnight. 

Why did I say it has become like a crowded theater? 

Is it possible that the prophetic also built to operate in the same way the body of Christ does?

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. 1 Corinthians 12:21-26

Ideally, read the whole passage, verses 12-31. 

Are those of us who are discovering our gift in a deeper way, are you seeking God to carve out a path that was specifically designed for you to flesh out or are you trying to emulate the prophets who are in the spotlight right now? 

I am not saying you can't listen do what they are saying, but would it not make sense for God to raise up prophets to cover all aspect of life? Would it make sense that God wants to establish you in sharing words involving other aspects of life that are not being addressed right now? 

Since God values the different gifts equally, wouldn't it make sense that God would value those on prophesy on different aspects of our culture, populations and ways of life?  

The path less taken

Americans do often refer to taken the path less taken, indicating discovery and adventure that others miss. 

The Bible equates this as going into the desert to discover God's direction. 

The path less taken will be more unpredictable. There will be less attention because there are less people in that direction. (Actually a good thing... gives us room to learn and make mistakes!) It is also good because it allows us to remain uninfluenced by other prophets because it is not in the spotlight. 

Doesn't God want to speak to all people of our world? We should not be seeking the spotlight or the trends. We should be communicating with God directly. If it goes in a direction you do not expect, chances are... you are on the right path! 

Partner with the Holy Spirit to discover your path into the prophetic

If you are feeling a call to the prophetic, focus on your relationship with God first. Read and get to know scripture so you can quickly spot if a word is consistent with Scripture. Learn to listen to the Holy Spirit about the direction He wants you to take. 

By focusing on God and being guided by scripture, it will allow you to gain insight in topics that others may not be focusing on. 

Take time to ponder on what God is sharing with you. Ask God to bring someone who you can get feedback from. (May very well be someone you do not expect!) 

I have two prophets that I listen to mostly. I have watched quite a few, but God definitely has drawn me towards two who I feel like I can learn from them. They speak frequently to educate their viewers about what the prophetic is and how to discern. My trust has also grown for them the longer I watch them. Although they have no idea who I am, I do consider them my mentors since I do not have anyone locally who I witness practicing the gift of the prophetic. 

Now it is up to me to seek God and read scripture in pursing this gift in my life.