“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away. Behold, all things are becoming new.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
About a month ago I got to live out a childhood fantasy… Spending the night at a giant treehouse in the middle of the Nicaraguan forrest. It was in Managua that we heard about the famous Poste Rojo Treehouse Hostel and we immediately decided we were going. A couple days later we arrived in Granada and rode in the back of a truck bed along with all our packs up into the forrest outside of town. After an exhausting 10 minute hike up the hill with our 50+ pounds of gear on our fronts and backs we arrived at the treehouse. It did not disappoint. The entrance area was a two story treehouse complete with a bar, hammocks, a family style kitchen, and a fire pole to move between floors. Then there was a long red suspension bridge about 20 feet above the ground that took us from the lobby to our “room” which was another treehouse, lined with hammocks that we slept in.
We were on cloud 9, exploring the complex and hanging out with our new friends who were guests and volunteers at the hostel. We enjoyed each others company and all watched an epic sunset over the basin below.
But the atmosphere quickly changed once it became dark.
We quickly found out that Poste Rojo has a big party reputation. Soon we were surrounded by heavy drinking and drugs. Not your typical missionary environment. However, I passed no judgement. How could I? They were living the same lifestyle I was less than a year ago. In fact, I would have loved to be in their shoes.. Living in a treehouse, meeting people from around the world, and partying with them every night.
However, that night I wasn’t tempted nor jealous. I hung out with them all night but never once wanted to be in their shoes. Never once missed the party lifestyle that I have lived.
Why?
Not because I look down upon it. Not because Christians shouldn’t do that. Not because I think partying is “empty”…
But because I am a new creation. Because as I grow closer to God, my old desires die more and more. Because I know that His plans for me, both present and future, are so much more fulfilling than anything I could have imagined a year ago.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek with all your heart. I will be found like you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.” Jeremiah 29: 11-14
This is something God has been revealing to me lately. That he rescued me from the mundane and self centered path I was heading down, and called me into His kingdom… What could be more fulfilling than that?
I wish there was a blog I could write or video I could post to show you the joy and peace that God has been bringing to me the past couple months, but I couldn’t do it justice. It’s just something you have to experience yourself. You don’t have to be traveling around the world to receive it either. All you have to do is seek, and you shall find.
Whether you’ve been saved or not, have you truly stepped in the life that God has planned for you? I promise.. and even better He promises.. that it will be more fulfilling than anything this world can bring…
And he is always faithful to his promises.
Hallelujah.
