The other day I felt that familiar pull. Some days it’s a dull ache, some days it’s curiosity, sometimes it’s desperation. I wasn’t even sure what to call it this time, just knew that I needed to sit with him in the stillness. A friend directed me towards a quiet road just outside of Skykomish. It’s about an hour’s drive north of us, partway up the mountain pass. So, I set off wandering, rewarded when I arrived at the end of the recommended road with two of my favorites: snow, and rivers. God is generous like that. He even topped off the day with a technicolor sunset. While I sat riverside, I wedged myself between a couple of smooth rocks, breathed deeply, surrounded by clean air and the sound of rushing water. I wrote some, read some, talked and listened. And God reminded me I am not alone. He has what I need for this present circumstance. I have been emptied, wrestled with my imperfection, and tired from what has felt like an endless battle-season.
He reminds me that He didn’t send His Spirit just to give us a list of rules to follow in order to meet with his approval, or to merely survive and cross-our-fingers-hope we get into heaven. He sent His Spirit to guide, comfort, encourage, teach. And underneath these gifts is love because He is the essence of love. If this all seems weird to you, I get it. But the world doesn’t need us to perform, and it certainly doesn’t need us to conform. It needs people who are alive to the beauty and power of the gospel. And God wants us to experience FULLNESS of life with Him. Joy, even in hardship.
So. Ask Him questions. Sit in quiet. Listen more and talk at Him less. Before you read His words, ask Him to help them come to life. Get honest with someone else who wants to find deep friendship with Jesus too.
I have so much hope because of WHO HE IS , and how much He loves. So thankful for those in my life who have helped me see better, who show me the road to the river and encourage me to adventure with God.
