EXPERIENCING GOD

Sounds great, huh?

We all want to experience God, don't we?

Well, hold on to your hat...

You see, there's a big difference between knowing about God, and knowing God.

After all, it's one thing to read about Mt. Everest, or to watch a documentary about this grand, majestic mountain.

But it's a whole other thing to risk your own life for a chance at the summit.

Have you had those times of mountain-climbing in your life?

Times when you've had decisions or struggles or responsibilities that weigh you down?

Times when fear or doubt or wavering uncertainty washed over you? Times when you felt tossed and turned?  Times when you've gone through terrible turmoil?  (I know the answer is yes...)

I've just completed a study about experiencing God.

About finding and doing God's will.

And over these last few months, I haven't just been in this Bible Study, I've been living it.

I've had many moments when I've questioned myself, second-guessed decisions, doubted direction.

I've often wondered, "Am I doing God's will?"

And here's what I've discovered.  I was unable to find peace until I told God, "I'm going to do what I feel like You're calling me to do - and I trust that You're going with me."

Yes, I continue to feel many, many feelings.  Some are wonderful, others are downright *Jacob-wrestling*...

And that's all part of experiencing God, too.

It is wonderful, exciting - but it's also daunting.

Just like climbing Mt. Everest.

Our enemy does not want us to experience God, nor does he want us to obey Him.  He does his best to stop, deter, thwart, distract us from our path. He could care less about our purpose - he would rather have us feel pity or panic or pride.

He is the sudden snowstorm on the mountain, the blizzard that blocks our view of the summit.  He is frostbite, and the lack of oxygen that muddles our mind.

He is the constantly incessant voice that whispers, "You can't do it."


You know, on this one he's right - I can't do it.


But I know Someone who can.


You see, when you begin to know God, instead of just knowing about Him, He begins to do the work you cannot do on your own.

He transforms your heart and your mind - He gives you the desire and the power to answer His invitation to come where He is working.

Sometimes it's climbing a mountain.


Sometimes it's a leap of faith.


Not gonna lie - the path to the summit is treacherous, fraught with danger, and it requires dying to self...

But I hear that the view from the top is breath-taking!


So what's the mountain God wants you to climb?  What's the view He wants you to see?

I will close with the words of Job:

"I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes."  (Job 42:5)


How is God calling you to experience Him in a new and deeper way?


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God"

IN HIS FOOTSTEPS

Today I have the privilege of having a "guest post" on a friend's blog (Thanks, Wendy!)

While you're there, sit a spell - you'll love wandering around her blog.

Click on the link below and join me in celebrating our wonderful Lord!

Faith's Firm Foundation

I would be honored if you would read the post and make a comment!

(Isn't this fun?! I just love a party!)

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

ENDURANCE

Well, my friends, sometimes you just have to “live and learn.” My husband, “the boys” (my sons), and I just returned last week from a backpack trip down the Virgin River in Zion National Park.

The most important thing to do when launching on this kind of adventure is to PREPARE. Well, we diligently did our research, scoped out all the pertinent information, and decided that it was a trip we could do. Everything we read stated it would take about 13 hours for “leisurely hikers” to make the trek. (I’d like to know how these people define “leisurely.” In my case, I think maybe other words would be more accurate – sluggish, plodding, lumbering…) OK, 13 hours over two days…hard, but possible. Right?! Yeah, same mistaken thought pattern as, “Hey, want to take a stroll up to Mt. Everest?”

We over-packed, and under-trained – BUT…we did complete the trip. A little (read, a LOT!) worse for wear, sore and tired, mentally and physically spent – but, in one piece. No injuries, no fights, no lasting damage – (except a stomachache from eating a huge helping of “humble pie!!”)

I gotta tell you something, though. It was a good lesson in many ways. I think we all learned what you can really do when you HAVE to – how you can push yourself beyond your limits when you have NO OTHER CHOICE!

As I was hiking, (in between prayers that were short and sweet – you know, the “Help me, Lord” variety) I spent a lot of time thinking about the spiritual parallels of this most arduous journey. The apostle Paul likened this life to a race. I’d like to share the things he had to say about running that race:

“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!...we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-26)

“…let us strip off every weight that slows us down…And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus…” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.” (Romans 5:3-4)

You know, we DID make it out of that canyon – we’re going to make it out of this life, too. So, in the meantime, let’s run with patience, perseverance, and purpose.

A few closing thoughts:

As followers of Jesus, we are running toward our heavenly reward.

Patience will make our final victory sweet.

We do not struggle alone – God is ALWAYS with us.

How’s your race?

BLOG = “Blessedly Leaning On God!”

A LITTLE TOUCH OF HEAVEN

If all goes according to plan, I will be on a grand adventure when this entry posts. I will be hiking a 16-mile, two-day journey down "The Narrows" in Zion National Park. This hike travels along the Virgin River - an apt name for a river that is crystal clear, and as pure as the snow-melt it comes from.

For many people, this would be an adventure. For me, who has done the "day-hike" version, but never an overnight backpack trip, this will be a GRAND adventure!

So many questions - will my little "get-away sticks" (my husband's name for legs) be able to make the trek? Will I be warm enough? Will I have enough to eat? Will the little water purifier work so I can actually drink the river water safely???

Legitimate questions? Probably so. But let me tell you, once I'm on the hike, all these concerns will fade away as quickly and as easily as images of the "concrete" world I left behind in the city. The Narrows is a breathtaking hike. Over millions of years, the river has carved out a deep, narrow canyon of dramatic color and beauty. You can stop and look up at the sky - a thin strip of blue that looms hundreds of feet overhead. Awesome!

Much of the hike, you are actually IN the river - crossing back and forth, forging ahead through strong currents, and sometimes just floating along when there is no place to walk! There is no way to describe the cold, refreshing feel of this pure water. It makes me feel like I am part of it. I become one of the rocks that lay at the bottom of this endless river - at peace with the timelessness of nature.

It all reminds me of the Creator - my wonderful and precious Lord. The Master of creativity, beauty, and eternal glory.

What a joy to spend time in His natural sanctuary!

"For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature." (Romans 1:20)


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"