The Unknown Destination
This past weekend I went to a retreat with Active Word Church. We went for a prayer walk which was amazing. After the prayer walk, our pastor was like "let's go to the mountaintop". About 10 minutes in, I started complaining. I kept asking how much longer. He kept saying "we are almost there" while my brother in Christ was echoing "it's right around the corner". After repeatedly asking the same question, I stopped. I told everyone if I knew it was this far and the hike was this hard, I wouldn't have gone. My brother started to physically push me up. That helped my back, and I was so relieved. Then, my brother went ahead because he wanted to be the first one to reach the top. Of course, a couple of minutes later, I stopped again. This time, I was ready to turn back around. My friends who were with me reminded me of how far I got. They were saying we were almost there even if they have never been themselves. I couldn't stop laughing. After a while our pastor called us to check on us because they made it to the top, I repeated his words back to him "I'm almost there; I'm right around the corner". I told him if I knew we were going this far, I wouldn't have followed him. He told me "the view will be worth it". Everyone who knows me knows how much I love a great view. Indeed it was a great view. I wanted to seat there for hours.
God used this experience to speak to my heart. As Christians, God does not give us access to the full picture of our lives except for knowing about eternity. We don't know the view 5 years from now not even 5 seconds from now. We can receive a call in the next 5 seconds that change our lives. God knows the full picture. Just like Pastor Hayford kept telling me to keep coming, I was reminded of the word of God to keep the faith. God will always see us through no matter how hard the mountain we have to climb is. Before we get to rejoice in eternal life with our Father, we have to keep the faith while going to these unknown destinations. Abraham was called to go to a place where God will show him with no address. God surely saw him through and he became the father of many.
Genesis 12:1-3 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse ,and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
Two are better than one. After my brother left to get there first, my friends' encouragement kept me going. We cannot do the Christian walk alone. Surround yourself with friends who are sold out for Jesus to encourage you.
Ecclesisastes 4: 9-11 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?
I am happy that we don't have to go to these places alone. As my brother pushed me physically to get to the mountaintop, I was reminded that the Holy Spirit does the same thing spiritually. As you go where God has called you to go, the Holy Spirit will be there to carry you through.
If you feel like you are in an unknown phase of life, take heart and know that God is with you. If we always saw the full picture we wouldn't need faith and God. My prayer is that God will grow your faith as you climb the mountaintop.
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Xoxo,
DD