I planned on writing something else. And as I sat down and reached for my laptop, I heard these words.

New England! It’s your time. It’s your season.

And that changed everything for me.

Because I am not a sports team aficionado, but enjoy the game , I will watch the game. But I am reasonably certain that while the Patriots may win, THAT is NOT what I was hearing about.

So, I began to examine last night’s meeting. A worship meeting that was just pushing out the edges of the tent. Why do I say that? Anyone can have a meeting, an event or a person and tie a meaning to it. We can reign in scripture. We can impose prophecy. We can proclaim boldly.

Let me say this. I have been around long enough to have been to thousands of meetings. Big names and no names. Quiet and loud. Worship and prayer. I have seen the words revival, renewal and awakening tied to a lot. I am not saying it is wrong. It was and is birthed out of hope, hearing and heaven. I believe in it. “So, Lee? What happened? Why did it stop?” I could not tell you. I could try. We have heard all the answers. God, The devil. Man. Wrong season. Right season. Control. No control. But all I can share is what I am hearing now. And encourage you that in part, it us that makes this happen. Unlike the Pats, whether Brady plays or does not play, does not mean there is not a game but a lot rides on his being there. For us, we are a multi-membered body, who has individually and corporately been called with a divine calling. We can do this without a “star” because our Great Shepherd has endowed each of us with His being, while He is there calling the “plays”, moving through each individual’s expression of Him.

Last night.
People braved bone chilling weather to come out for a meeting our fellowship simply called, A Night Of Worship. As people gathered there was an expectancy in the air. First, we have not done this for a while. Second, I think many held back, thinking “can it be”. But as the room began to fill, children began to dance in the front. The music team was ready. Love was in the air! Over the night people hugged and prayed and worshiped their God! I saw people from New York, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts. I saw people I see every week and people I have not seen for a while. (Perhaps one of the things being broken was “cabin fever”!) All ages were in the room! A lot happened as worship to God and prayer for the region came forth. As was said, “will we ever know” the results of our night?

Your time. Your season. Yes! I receive that.

Maine-you are about to see the weariness fall to the wayside as I hear, Isaiah 40:31, But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.

Massachusetts-I hear there is a party you have harbored! Celebration. John 2:1 tells of a miracle beginning. I tell you of a miracle, beginning!

Rhode Island-In providence you have found your calling. You have had your edges removed, designed for this time.1 Samuel 17:40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.

Connecticut-You have been the spice of New England. Song of Solomon 4:13-15 “Your shoots are an orchard of pomegranates With choice fruits, henna with nard plants, Nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, With all the trees of frankincense, Myrrh and aloes, along with all the finest spices. “You are a garden spring, A well of fresh water, And streams flowing from Lebanon.”

New Hampshire-Yes, you are the granite state and yes, you lost the nose of the old man. But today I hear the words “Build well”. Luke 6:48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.

Vermont-There has been an adventure that appears to have been reserved for the adventurous. Today I see you all on a journey, with a care free attitude. Go ahead! 1 Samuel 14:7 His armor bearer said, “Go ahead. Do what you think best. I’m with you all the way.”

Last night as we prayed for the region, a word about those on the “trash heaps” of life came forth. I thought of Mephibosheth, a man who had left in furor of war. Crippled by life. Living in a place of trash called Lodebar.  So many times have I heard the story of David extending grace to the house of Saul, to the remaining family member, Mephibosheth. A picture of grace. But as I pondered it afresh, were it not for life, he would have perhaps been dead, unable to receive grace and mercy. Were it not for his being found, would David have been able to bring reconciliation, perhaps equally as needed in His life. Not because either had to, but because they could, perhaps we can as well. New England…I suspect this story is about to play out.

A harsh place. A cold place. An unfriendly place. All words that have described New England. But, a new season has been entered. The words no longer holding us back. Even as the history of Sarah was rewritten by God, from Old Testament to Hebrews 11, so shall the history of New England be changed. Once a place of the Great Awakening, now to be come the place of the Greatest Awakening. A name change? A play on words? Who’s report will you believe?

New England-this is your time, this is your season. For some playing in the winter in is as enjoyable for others to place their feet on the summer beach. What you will do with your season will be what you will do. God tells us in Ephesians 5:16 to redeem the time. It is on us, co-laboring with Him.

And the Pats? Look for the unlikely to arise.