Lord, I want you to show up today so I can experience you. That was the only thought circling my mind, as my team and I sat in the back of a Range Rover making our way up a steep and narrow mountain. After about 30 minutes or so we found ourselves parking next to an abandoned house covered in wet lush grass, with trees every where. Upon arriving here, we were told by our host that this place on this mountain was a significant place for all of them. In some way or form, their hearts were attached to this place, and after being there I can see why.
Standing on top of this hill on a mountain, I looked out and saw the depth of everything around me. It was still. I closed my eyes, and just paused there for a few moments, taking in everything in my mind and being. I began to feel what I knew was the presence of the Lord swarming all around me. All I could do was stand there in awe of HIM, and the beauty of who He is, and what He has done. I took in the rustling of the leaves, as the crisp chill air danced all around me. I lit up inside as the swishing and dripping of the rain descended onto the ground. The still fog covered the vibrant green grass, as mist kissed the cool brown bark of the tress. It felt like drops of tears from heaven bounced off of my cheeks, with every step I took as I made my way to the house.
With the crackling of the fire going, we stood underneath this tin roof connected to the house. The temperature was in the low 60’s, and if you ask me, it was the perfect setting for hot chocolate and worship around a camp fire. I was so amazed that this house resided in a place full of beauty and peaceful solitude. Our host began explaining to us how much this place meant to them and their vision for it. They wanted us to clean up around the place, clean and re arrange things in the house, and prepare the outside by raking leaves, pulling weeds and picking up any trash. But, before we dispersed we were encouraged to see all that we are doing as an opportunity to meet and hear from the Lord. “There is something about using a machete, or sweeping, or doing some sort of physical labor that connects our present physical world with the spiritual”.
I was immediately drawn to work inside the house, moving huge heavy logs of wood, and cleaning it out. Once inside I felt a huge presence of peace and welcoming and belonging. There was an open space that had wood everywhere. Around the corner, there was a small staircase that led upstairs where there was a desk and dust all over the floor. There were only two doors which led to the outside. We got our instructions and began going to work. We first had to move four huge log pieces of wood to the top of the range rover, so they could be hauled off to be used for other purposes. In the midst of doing all of this, I felt the Lord speaking to me, and felt as though I heard him say that my heart was very much like this house. My heart is surrounded and carries with it, a posture of peace, belonging, beauty and awe. However, there needs to be some work done on it. Ultimately, all of those things in my heart are Jesus. The Lord brought to mind Galatians 6:2 “Carry each others burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” the Lord I believe, was showing me that like the job in the house, my heart work involved other people coming alongside and helping me in the process to make it look as though it should. You see, its not that I do not invite others into my heart to walk with me and help, because I do, its more so that I choose to do almost everything myself. Trying to pick up and carry out the heavy wood in my heart leaves one exhausted. Sweeping out dust goes a lot faster and gets more accomplished when others do it with you. And rearranging with another person creates unity and a bond that was just strengthened.
The wood being rearranged in a neat order, represented my thoughts and beliefs needing to be realigned. Lies covering those pieces of wood need to be swept out. And, burdens of anxiety, doubt, guilt, shame and actions of sin needed to picked up and carried out to be hauled off. Ultimately those things are done within me, in the context of community. I felt as though the Lord told me to stop trying to handle everything on my own, and allow the body of believers to carry these things with me to the foot of the cross. This dos not mean to depend on others, rather, its dependence on Jesus, and trust that others who walk with me, will point me to Him in prayer, words of encouragement, challenge, and direction, as I make the choice to obey and follow through or not.
Then the peace and joy and awe my heart is surrounded by, will be a magnet to others inviting them into the being of the Lord and who he is and wants to be in their lives.
Not only did the Lord do this, but he began redeeming the concept of dreaming and pursuing those, which I will talk about in another blog. He also began shifting my perspective and thoughts on marriage.
All in all, God showed up and answered my prayer of encountering him. I will never forget the whispers of truth in love, on that mountain.
Guys the Lord is so faithful and is doing a work in my heart, as well as changing and transforming lives all around me. I am anticipating what God continues to do these next 7 months, and I would love your partnership. We are $5000 away from being fully funded which is technically due next week. Would you consider partnering with me and The work God is doing? Just click the orange donate button, and together we can get fully funded and partake in the work God is doing. Thank you all so much ad thank God for his faithfulness and hand.
