We've been having a LOT of rain these last few weeks!! For me, an Arkansas gal from the Ozarks, it seems normal....but for California, Wow!! This is not normal! But it's wonderful because the hills have turned from their drab brown to a beautiful shade of living green! They have literally come to life!!
Reminds me of what happens when God's Word is planted and begins to take fruit in our lives. We too begin to blossom and spring to life. Some verses I was reviewing recently portray this very vividly.
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season. His leaf shall not whither and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." Ps 1:1-3
When the days are sunny, Val and I have taken ourselves back to our mountain hikes. It's always so refreshing to get up in the hills away from the cars and noise. However, there was an interesting observation that struck me when Val and I were up hiking in the green mountains the other day that I wanted to share. It went like this:
Here we were out in the beautiful hills, on the high road/path. We had taken the more difficult trail route up to the top of the mountain and were walking along the ridge. It was beautiful, and although a workout to get to the top (especially since I haven't been hiking that much lately) it was well worth the effort. But we were ALONE up on the hillside, looking down on Loma Linda and the San Bernadino Valley. We didn't meet one other soul up on the high trail of the mountain. (Sometimes we do, but it actually is quite rare!) Yet, looking down into the valley, we could see thousands of cars zooming back and forth along the interstate and roads that criss cross along the valley. And we could see a few hikers down on the lower path in the foot hills. But we were the only ones up on top...
The spiritual application that God brought to mind as I looked down into the valley was this: The closer and closer that we get to the end of time, the less people will be willing to leave their comfortable valleys for the high road....the road less traveled. It takes effort, it takes work, sweat and determination to walk a different path, a path different then the rest of the world. The path that leads to eternal life will slowly become more and more unpopular. (It already largely is in fact, if we just look around us!) So sadly, fewer and fewer people will be willing to attempt to make that climb.....
"Wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at. But straight is the gate, and narrow the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matt 7:13,14)
However, that's where our part comes into the picture, as God has given us the awesome priviledge and responsibility of spreading the WORD...to encourage people to step out of their comfort zone and make the climb to the high road. Although it will take a lot of work, it is not work that we do alone...for God promises to take our hand and walk beside us giving us strength. But it is a hike that we must take, if we want to SAVE OUR LIFE!!!
"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10
So my challenge to myself this week, and to any readers that may happen by: Step out of your comfort zone, whatever God is calling you to do....don't let the entanglements of life or busyness or the distracting pleasures of life pull you away from what is really important - and that is developing a one-on-one intimate walk with Christ....on the High Road!!
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