Seeing In The Dark: The Time Is Now

On January 25th, I woke up to the sound of an owl hooting right outside our bedroom window. As I laid there quietly listening, enjoying the soothing sound of his song, I heard the Lord whisper, “The time is now.”

I’ve always loved owls, ever since I was a child. Their bold features have always captivated me. I began collecting them at one point, but eventually stopped because it seemed I was never able to find any pieces that captured their intensity while at the same time not making them look “spooky”. (The owl is not the mascot of Halloween, by the way.)

Typically, the owl has always been a symbol of wisdom. Which I certainly love. But years ago, my appreciation for the owl went to another level when I heard a well-respected prophetic voice say that the owl would soon become a symbol of the prophetic. Not replacing the eagle, but standing alongside it. Like two warriors on divine assignment. And when that time came, it would be a sign that a new level of operating in the things of God was about to be released.

So why the owl? This is what the Lord has been showing me over the last couple of weeks:

First of all, and possibly most important is because one of the things owls are most known for is their ability to see clearly and keenly in the dark. They have exceptional vision. Darkness doesn’t affect them and it doesn’t cause them to shrink away in fear.

But blessed [spiritually aware, and favored by God] are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. Matthew 13:16 AMP

Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord..” Hebrews 12:14 NKJV

Additionally, owls have extremely sensitive “ears to hear”. Some sources say that there are some owls that can hear up to 10 times better than humans.

“The sheep that are My own hear My voice and listen to Me; I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27 AMP

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'” Isaiah 30:21 NIV

Lastly, the drab color of their feathers camouflages an owl from predators and prey. I heard the Lord say, this is not a season for showy-ness. God is about to elevate people He has been preparing in the secret places.

“He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to Him.” Proverbs 2:8

He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91:4 NIV

We live in times when we need clear “night-time vision”. We have to be able to see the times we live in properly – through a redemptive filter. Not fill our thoughts and our conversations with complaints and fear about what we see going on in the world.

We live in times where we need to hear better than we ever have before. Hear the voice of God clearly, and interpret what He is saying. Hear the wisdom is ready to speak into the areas of influence we have been given.

We live in times where we need to not be fearful – even when there is so much unpredictability all around us. But know that God is with us and that He will lead us, guide us, and direct our steps in all we have been called to do. The road is not slippery for those who follow Him.

Some of us need to hear that afresh and let it sink deep into our hearts: He will not let your foot slip! (Psalm 121:3)

HOWEVER – and I cannot emphasize this enough – we must never let what we see or experience cause us to take on an us-vs-them mentality. Our battle is not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12). This is not a battle between believers and non-believers. We are here to love people. We are here to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16). We must guard our conversations – what we say – and make sure that our words are seasoned with salt and grace, and that when we speak, we are speaking words of wisdom and understanding. Not just spatting off whatever first comes to mind. We are here to see people through the eyes of a loving Father. We have been given the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18). And we have been given the keys of the kingdom (Matthew 16:19) by which we can:

preach the gospel to the poor;
heal the brokenhearted,
proclaim liberty to the captives
recovery of sight to the blind,
and set at liberty those who are oppressed
(se Luke 4:18)

And for those who choose to “fly high above it all“, not allowing the negativity, fear, comparison, motivations and tactics of darkness set the agenda for their lives…for you…I hear this phrase:

“The time is now.”

The time is now when God will pour out an even greater ability upon you to hear, to see, to discern, to know, as you fly high at an other level.

Continue to pursue Him. Continue doing the things you have done to train your ears to hear and your eyes to see. And prepare yourself, because now is the time for more.

Linda G. Riddle