SubscribeFinding God on an open highway
I sought God this weekend and found Him on an open highway. The huge church billboard along the uncluttered road reminded me that “Living for God is an Adventure.” I am not the most adventurous person around, but I have climbed to mountain tops, walked for miles and slept in a tent for good causes and flown for hours to unknown lands to live out the gospel. I know that sometimes you have to risk safety to explore uncharted territories near and far, and that you have to let go of what is comfortable to plumb the depths of your own soul’s quest for God.
Come, God beacons us, follow me. Who better than God to follow on an adventure? That’s a rhetorical question that probably is more plainly put: There is no one better to follow on an adventure than God. I repeated the words in my head for miles , “Living for God is an adventure,” readying myself for whatever lies in front of me.
I sought God and saw Him in the trees lining the highway. Lush, leafy and green after a hard winter, the trees exuded life. Looking at the tall trees touching the sky, my mind flipped back to a familiar poem I learned as a child and I felt excited about the new possibilities and fresh encounters with God that each new day offers.
TREES
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
(Joyce Kilmer published “Trees” in 1914.)
Cruising along in the early morning light, the song coming from my car’s CD player arrested my attention. I couldn’t help but to listen more intently to one of my all time favorite groups, the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, as they sang “He’s Been Faithful .” The lyrics spoke to me and lifted my spirit, particularly these below, which served as confirmation that I don’t have to be permanantly undone by my own occasional unbelief. God remains faithful.
“He’s Been Faithful
Faithful To Me
Looking Back He’s Love And Mercy I See
Though In My Heart I Have Questioned
And Failed To Believe
He’s Been Faithful, Faithful To MeWhen My Heart Looked Away
The Many Times I Could Not Pray
Still My God Was Faithful To Me.”
I sought God and He touched my soul on an open highway. The words kept rolling over me and slowly moving from my mind to my heart. Gratitude filled me as I latched onto the words and recalled times in my own life that God has kept His promises to me and my family and has answered our prayers. I have even come to appreciate the times He said no to some of my prayer requests while all the while saying yes He loves me and will never abandon me. The road trip over the weekend with my husband to Georgia gave me plenty of time to experience God, especially when I was driving and Greg was sleeping.
Today, I am seeking God anew. Seeking to hear a fresh word, to see with new eyes, to feel His presence, to join God on another faith adventure. I don’t even have to leave home to do it.
Who are you seeking today?
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That was so pleasant to read and the imagery brought even greater reflection upon your writing. As usual, your blog brought a flurry of thoughts cascading through my spirit and mind. That is one of the reasons I enjoy reading them so much. Most importat among the thoughts is that I trust my Leader Who knows every path through which we go, together, on our adventure. Each path is designed ahead of time with me in mind, for my Leader-God’s purpose. My Adventure Leader-God is the Author and Finisher of our faith….Thank you.
Pastor Miller,
How grateful I am that God also is my leader on this adventure called life. Thanks so much for the continued encouragement.