Spiral Method: God Speaks Through Circles
HE SPEAKS IN CIRCLING THROUGH TIME
From the book, 101+ Ways God Speaks (And How to Hear Him)
“Oh Lord, You have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit or stand. When far away you know my every thought. You chart the path ahead of me, and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment, you know where I am. You know what I am going to say before I even say it. You both precede6 and follow6 me, and place your hand of blessing on my head.” (Psalm 139:1-5 TLB)
Educators have studied and analyzed how people learn. There are various learning theories and one is the spiral method. It is similar to a spiraling funnel of information circling outward. Many textbooks are built upon this theory. In the early childhood years, issues are introduced. As each year passes, more and more information is built around those original ideas.
Think of an isolated dot of information. Consider the perspective of that dot. Looking at a dot of information, it is a dot. There is no reference point, no common denominator, nothing to connect. Now draw a continuous circle starting at the dot, making the circle larger and larger, around itself. When the first circle of information passes around the dot, it now has some sort of reference point of understanding. Another circle and its reference grows. Has the dot changed? No the original dot has not changed. More than likely, its original perspective has.
Why does God speak this general way more often than an outline format, or one, two, three? Although organized, outlines are ideas segmented, separated, and connected by sections. A spiral can join numerous ideas, weaving them into one continuous flow. However a spiral can take one concept, build upon it, join it with another and another, then focus on any concept it chooses yet still link directly with other concepts.
An example is how this book is written around the word “quickening.” The message and importance of the Holy Spirit’s quickening is mentioned many times. Does the first “definition dot” on quickening change? No, but eventually the perspective of its importance does.
When God speaks in circles, it also gives us a chance to breathe when information crowds our “dot.” He moves in and touches, moves out and gives us room. – Circling around the issue, expanding, clarifying, providing reference points, adding a new perspective. Sometimes, it takes years for the Lord to circle issues in our life if we are not willing vessels to listen to what He is saying. Sometimes, He continuously circles around issues for weeks or even seasons, trying to get past our inability to comprehend. It is important not to jump on a dot of information with a mad dash. If we wait, undoubtedly He will circle again with more input.
The Bible gives examples of how God spoke in circles. The stories, covenants and histories repeat themselves throughout the text. Consider the study of the Old Testament feasts. The original dot of Passover was introduced by killing a lamb and placing its blood on the lintel of the door. This protected the Jewish people on the night the death angel slew Egypt’s first born. (Exodus 12:7) In the next circle, God told them to celebrate this remembrance as a feast. (Exodus 12:17) They circled that feast until Jesus came. He became the Passover lamb and was sacrificed for our sins and became our protection from eternal separation from God. “For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.” (1 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV) All the feasts are introduced, and have been in the process of circling outward to their prophetic fulfillment.
Much of the Old Testament introduces Jesus. The New Testament circles that information through Jesus’ life. We join that circle and live Jesus’ life in us in like manner. The next generation will join us. The circle grows and God continues to reveal Himself. One day we will see Him face to face and know Him as we are known.
It is said that something has to be repeated seven times before it is permanently etched in our brain. Repetition is important in establishing facts. Stories, covenants and history were repeated many times in the Bible by the Lord restating issues to the people. In this same manner, I have noticed the Lord repeats His Words to me, each time perhaps with a slightly different angle, each time circling the issue until I finally “get it.” Then, when I finally figure out His perspective, He repeats it just to confirm that I understood, then He repeats it again to sink it deeper!
The way I keep His Words to me is to record them on the computer. Through an easy search method I can keep them in remembrance and understand at a deeper level what He is talking about, other than just that moment in time. “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” (Luke 8:15 KJ)
For instance, He may speak concerning the Word, “graduation.” In context to that Word, He may share some concepts about graduation and what that means on a spiritual level. Then, perhaps a few more months pass, and the term graduation is once again introduced (via all the various means of hearing Him in this book) and it connects with the last time I heard Him speak to me about graduation. I know it is some time in the future and I am to prepare for this. Several years later, He continues to bring up the concept which I have faithfully recorded in the computer. Only this time He says the time is imminent! Now I do a search on the word graduation or graduate, etc., and find all the times He has spoken to me about graduation. Throughout those circles, He weaves His perspectives on what graduation means, and it becomes clearer and clearer, then suddenly He is saying now is His time for graduation.
GOD “BESETS” US WITH HIS WORD
When God speaks to us by circling through time, this is one example of the word “beset” in the Hebrew.
Ps 139:3-5 KJV
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
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