In life, we often encounter turning points—moments that redefine our direction, elevate our consciousness, or set us on a path we didn’t expect. Sometimes, we view these events as opportunities, while other times they feel like divine disruptions. In her transformative sermon, “How to Shift into Your Next Dimension,” Sarah Jakes Roberts challenges us to recognize these pivotal moments as more than just opportunities or changes in circumstance. She calls them “portals”—spiritual gateways that lead to entirely new dimensions of existence. Through this lens, shifting into your next dimension becomes not just about moving forward, but about transcending the ordinary and stepping into the fullness of your divine purpose.
Understanding the Power of Portals
Most of us are familiar with the metaphor of doors when discussing opportunity. We speak of God “opening doors” as a way to describe new chances or experiences that shift us in positive directions. However, as Sarah Jakes Roberts powerfully articulates, doors merely introduce us to new opportunities—they change aspects of our lives, but not necessarily our entire existence.
“A door, when we think about it…even when we think about God opening doors, it may change something in our life. But when God opens doors, it doesn’t always change our entire life,” Roberts explains. But portals? Portals, she emphasizes, change everything. They usher us into an entirely new dimension—a space where we are no longer the same, where we encounter radical transformation that shifts our worldview, our relationships, and even our relationship with God.
The concept of dimensions, often explored in science fiction, takes on profound spiritual significance here. When we step through a portal, we are no longer in the same universe, so to speak. We have been granted access to a new level of spiritual awareness, and with that access comes the responsibility to discern where that portal is taking us. “Not every portal is connected to promotion,” Roberts warns. Some portals take us into places we were never meant to go.
The Portals in Our Lives: Divine Appointments and Disguised Dangers
Think back to pivotal moments in your own life. Perhaps it was meeting a particular person, attending a certain church, or receiving a word that seemed to unlock something within you. These moments weren’t just coincidences; they were portals. They were meant to elevate you into a new way of thinking and living.
“Most of the time when our lives are radically changed, He opens up portals,” Roberts declares. These portals can come disguised as people, places, or even challenges. It’s crucial that we are discerning enough to recognize when God is presenting us with a portal and not just a door. What’s the difference? A door leads to a new opportunity, but a portal brings about a complete transformation.
Yet, as Roberts warns, not every portal leads to promotion. Some portals give us access to things that can destroy us if we are not careful. It is easy to enter a portal without realizing where it leads, only to find ourselves burdened by darkness, heartbreak, or destruction. Roberts advises us to be cautious about what we expose ourselves to because even seemingly innocuous experiences—like a particular movie or a toxic relationship—can act as portals to dimensions we were never meant to enter. “I don’t play with the devil,” Roberts says bluntly. “You talk about my faith, you talk about my salvation, you do what you need to do, but I don’t play with them portals.”
These warnings lead to an important question: Who and what are we allowing into our lives? Are we connected to people or opportunities that draw us into dimensions of despair, darkness, or confusion? Roberts reflects on her own experiences, saying, “I got careful over my circle when I started realizing I wasn’t just fighting my depression, I was fighting their depression, and now I’m in this mess with you because I allowed you to be my portal.”
This is not just about guarding your heart, but about understanding the spiritual consequences of your connections. Your relationships, your work environments, your daily habits—these can all be portals that transport you to either a dimension of blessing or one of destruction. The challenge is in discerning which is which.
What Dimension Are You In?
A crucial element of shifting into your next dimension is asking yourself where you currently are. Have you been stuck in a dimension that dilutes your potential, shrinks your anointing, or pulls you away from God’s purpose for your life? Roberts reminds us that the anointing we carry is assigned to a particular dimension, and not every dimension will allow it to flourish.
“There are some people…who justify what they do by saying, ‘Well, Jesus sat with sinners and drunks and everybody else.’ Yeah, but you have a drinking problem and He was anointed to be in that dimension and you are not.”
The message is clear: not every environment is suitable for your anointing. It’s easy to justify remaining in spaces that feel comfortable, but comfort isn’t always confirmation of God’s calling. Sometimes, the very places we find ourselves in are the ones stifling our spiritual growth. Your anointing was meant to thrive in a dimension that aligns with God’s mission for your life. If you find that your current dimension only amplifies your weaknesses or feeds into your fears, it’s time to shift.
Prayer: The Portal of Transformation
So how do we move out of dimensions of stagnation and into those that align with our anointing? According to Roberts, prayer is the key. “Prayer is transportation. Prayer is a portal out of this dimension and into the dimension I’m supposed to be in,” she declares.
This view of prayer as a portal shifts the way we approach communication with God. It’s no longer just a means of asking for blessings or expressing gratitude—it becomes the vehicle through which we transcend the limitations of our current circumstances. When you find yourself stuck in dimensions of depression, failure, or insecurity, prayer is what opens the portal to freedom.
Roberts draws on the biblical story of Paul and Silas, who, even while imprisoned, used prayer and worship to shift their dimension. Their physical chains may have bound them, but through their worship, they invited heaven’s dimension into their earthly situation. “When Paul and Silas said I may not be able to get out of this cell, I may not be able to get out of these cuffs, but I could let worship meet me in the place of restriction,” Roberts preaches.
The ground beneath them shook, and the chains fell away. This is the power of prayer—it shakes the foundations of the dimensions we find ourselves trapped in and allows us to walk into new realms of possibility.
Shifting Your Dimension for Generational Impact
One of the most powerful aspects of shifting dimensions is the ripple effect it creates. When you step into a new dimension, it doesn’t just change your life—it alters the lives of everyone connected to you. Roberts emphasizes the generational impact of this shift: “Don’t be surprised if your family starts acting different. Blame it on the dimension shift.”
When we shift into higher dimensions, we don’t just change our own circumstances; we break generational curses, shift atmospheres for our families, and create legacies of faith and freedom. Every time we shift dimensions, we make way for those connected to us—our children, our spouses, our communities—to experience the same transformation.
Roberts captures this beautifully when she speaks of a mother worshiping with her child in her arms: “Little mama, I don’t know what you asking God for, but I hear God saying you about to take that baby into another dimension.”
Conclusion: Embrace the Shift
Shifting into your next dimension is about more than just embracing opportunity. It’s about discerning divine portals, recognizing when God is calling you to a new level of existence, and being willing to leave behind the dimensions that no longer serve your anointing. It’s about protecting your spirit, guarding your connections, and using prayer as the portal to new realms of spiritual and personal growth.
As you reflect on the message of Sarah Jakes Roberts, ask yourself: what dimension am I in right now? Where is God calling me to go? And what portals is He opening in my life today?
If you’re ready to step through, you may just find that everything on the other side is beyond what you ever imagined.
Sarah Jakes Roberts is a renowned pastor, author, and speaker who has made a profound impact on the Christian community. Born into a legacy of faith, Sarah is the daughter of Bishop T.D.
