So many times in my life I have looked back with discouragement to see that I had not come as far as I had thought. At times on my trek up a new mountain it is hard for me to see all the different paths and turns as I climb.
Jesus says to me: Just keep your mind focused on my words and you will be fine. I will put you on top of mountains and high places from time to time so you will be able to see through the glass darkly. (I Cor. 13:12) These are just plateaus and resting places. You are beginning to understand what it means to live your life on a higher plain. But you are still not home yet. Keep in mind there are still more rivers to cross and mountains to climb until I meet you at the final summit. Keep your heart and mind in the right place, and you will do all right.
You used to walk in these ways (the evil ways), in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: Col. 3:7-8
Lord, my frayed past was worn with old beaten paths that I had trodden over and over. Through the years because of not being able to catch on, or understand what you were trying to tell me, I created ditches and gullies in the terrain that caused deep valleys. Over time those valleys seemed impossible for me to muddle through.
2b Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Col. 3:2b-4
Yes Lord, now I can see you wanted me to walk through these valleys, because you knew that I needed them in order to grow. There were valleys with shadows of death but you were faithful and guided me through. (See Psalm 23) And now more and more I am beginning to understand what you have to tell me about the green fields and pastures that I can dwell in. I begin to drink more and more from the streams of living water, and then things begin to make a little bit of sense, and your Words become much clearer.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Col. 3:15
But Lord, the higher I get, the more of the ridges and the veers to the right or left that I have taken off the path becomes more in focus. Standing on the plateau and looking down becomes encouraging as I can see clearly where I have been. I look back over this year and I see many victories you have given me, and I am well pleased. My heart rejoices and I am filled with your peace that passes understanding. Help me to be thankful.
He looked at me and said, when you are looking up, you see the top of the peak and it looks wonderful, but you think to yourself, there is just no room to live up there. Then when you arrive, at the very top, it is no longer a peak, but a wide-open plateau, where you can breathe. You can live, move and have your being. That becomes your resting spot.
26b And he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 28 For in him we live and move and have our being. Acts 17: 26b-27
My Lord and God. There is much more room to breathe, and I can move freely. But there are many more hills to climb. So help me reach out more and more every day, and help me to find you.
Dock Caton 12/27/10
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