Lines Falling For You | The Ministry of Announcing

Yesterday was Phaneroo’s 10th Anniversary. Those who don’t know about it, it is a fellowship and church based in Uganda with multiple branches called Manifests across the world. The ministry’s very name is derived from the Greek word of the same, which means ‘to make manifest’ … the things of God.

The special guest invited was the Nigerian gospel musician I epithet as the Shofar of God. Everyone is fond of the trumpeter’s interludes that seem to echo beyond the seeable world. They don’t seem — they actually echo and resound from the realm unseen, tearing through the fabric of reality, like God tore the veil; and suddenly, even those that didn’t do much, find God’s presence immersing all around them, effortlessly, for the trumpet sort of opens the door between the physical and spiritual.

Goosebumps are only a trickle of the evidence. If one leans in more, so much can be happening in one go.

Many were excited to see Nathaniel Bassey live in Uganda for the very first time. I myself remember him coming onto the scene with Imela in 2012. I’m sure he was singing before. But there’s always that one song that introduces someone largely to a local group.

I have been blessed with the gift of writing. And I’ve often told my friends that the parable of the talents makes me walk on egg shells. I not only write well literally. One thing led to another. Writing well led to writing stories, and books and blogs. I have written 6 novels, with only one published so far. Writing novels led to writing songs too! And of course — gospel songs.

None is recorded in studio yet, but I continue to steward them well by phone recorder. Some have come as I listen to sermons, others come in my sleep or dreams, others come as I pray, and others hijack me during day, as I stare blankly and I hear a tune that captures me from somewhere I can’t see, but yet hear.

I am not showing off O dear reader. Just bringing you up to speed.

From 2016 to present, the songs began to flow in throngs. Sometimes the Holy Spirit could force me awake to record one on phone when the sleep was more influential! He would suspend it until I’d do just that. By His grace, He’s enabled me steward as He reminds me a song or tune I’d have forgotten as John 14 says.

During his session yesterday, the Shofar prophesied differently saying,

Psalmists in Uganda get ready; there is a river that is about to flow out of you to the ends of the earth …

Uganda get ready for a new season! Nations will come to you and say ‘show us your God!’

This is the year of the end of anything stagnant …

Being a scribe, I jotted them down. But in that moment, I saw a vision of a forest; some trees were cut, and then a murrum road appeared, and then a tarmac highway — where previously hadn’t been a way but only a wilderness.

I asked the Lord what this meant!

If you’ve been like me, I know there are moments you even thought God’s lied about what He has promised you. For years I waited for that perfect moment where someone just shows up and says ‘Here is a studio, here’s all instruments and their players. Record the songs God has given thee.’ But the multiple attempts I have had with the studio owners only zeroed to one thing: me being unable to afford them — yet.

And so I’d wander: how about all these young people just starting out and bursting onto the scene, how do they afford?

But all of that evaporated in a moment. God explained the vision;

‘As the shofar sounds, lines fall in pleasant places for you. The way is prepared for you. It is made straight. Remember Jesus? He needed Anna the prophetess to speak over Him as a babe — and Simeon, ushering Him into this realm … Announcing Him! Then John His cousin had do take on Elijah’s mantle and join the two, years later to announce Him again. (Then amidst the swirling and stirring, He added) Some things have to happen before you launch out!’

We have encountered such, for example, being filled with the Holy Spirit before Jesus set out into ministry. Him growing in stature and wisdom. These apply to us as well in all spaces God has called us to. Even as our announcing is required!

So, let patience have its perfect work dear brethren, as you wait for your announcing. The people to announce you are giants in the spirit who have authority in places you might not. When I asked God why it is necessary to be announced, He reminded me of movies we have watched, especially medieval folklore. Notice, in that setting, if royalty is coming to visit, a letter is sent ahead to the place they are visiting, and things there have to align to receive them and make their stay comfortable. And remember you are a royal priesthood! Creation has to organise itself to receive you too!

Perhaps things are still falling in place…

Remember as well that even mere appearances of royalty come with announcement!

“Ladies and gentlemen, let us rise for His Majesty, Prince Simon of Zion…” It is an honor that comes with royalty.

Even in today’s setting, if a president is visiting a country, the residents are made aware to prepare for him or her.

Have you ever received a guest of high caliber without him or her informing you early enough! They’d find your house disorganized, and you’d fret having wished to get them the special sauce from the market, but because it was late, you found the liver or pork ‘extinct!’ Now you have to go with beans! And even if you found the former, the lunch would get ready so late!

Even if it is not announcing, God let me know that there is an order of things. Before you marry, register, publish, or conceive, … some things have to happen before you launch out.

May He inform you of those things. May you not settle for less when things are not ready — forcing your own way.

May you hear His voice tell you ‘go to the left here’ or ‘to the right there.’ May He direct your steps that you may profit in all ways! May He show you the lines that have to fall first, before you take that step. Do not advance before the bridge is fully complete, lest you fall deep down into the waterfall’s gorge!

As for me, and some others Psalmists, I know the trumpeter ushered us in. But just like He did, let it be known to you — dear reader, that you are responsible for ushering in someone else from Egypt to the promised land like Moses and Joshua did.

You’d be the one standing between a significant marriage to happen! Remember Naomi between Ruth and Boaz — David’s grandparents! You’d be Samson to Israel (exclude the Delilah part). You’d be Esther holding the fate of a whole nation! Or Ezra and Nehemiah rebuilders and reinstaters of a whole nation!

The burden calls for your consecration and careful living! You’re the gateway for millions! Many are holding onto your hem saying ‘we have to go with you for God is with you!’

So dust yourself, hold your staff and trumpet, and rise to the call of announcing many many others!

Take off some time and pray for more enlightenment about this — O Announcer! Your life matters, and carries weight in God’s eyes.

To Jesus, the greatest to Him, was His announcer, and announcers fulfill prophecy. It metamorphoses from being a future thing, to a now thing or a past thing! This means; your coming determines the end of waiting by someone or another demographic.

I pray that my experience, edifies you

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“I feel like I came to announce a season for Uganda.” ~ Nathaniel Bassey

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Isaiah 40:3-5 The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ” Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough places smooth; The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, And all flesh shall see [it] together; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

Psalms 16:6 The lines have fallen unto me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance.

Zechariah 8:23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days [it shall come to pass], that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard [that] God [is] with you.

Matthew 11:11-13 “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.