3/31/2023 0 Comments Trail of faith appcode![]() We need markers of development to assure us that we are making progress and that we are indeed on the same path of faith our spiritual role-models walked. ![]() The Christian life would be uncertain at best if we had no hope of future glory and the sanctification process along the way. Can you imagine working on potty training if you had no hope that it was only for a season? Parenting would be chaotic at best if we couldn’t foresee the predictable stages our children would progress through: infants to toddlers to children to adolescents to young adults. I think He even loves a good story with a beginning, middle, and end, and all the plot twists in between.Īnd it just makes so much sense to me as I see countless parallels between our lives lived in the body and our lives lived in the spirit. Even the meta-story across Scripture of God’s plan and process through Creation, Fall, and Redemption paints the idea of movement through stages. As believers we move from milk to meat ( Hebrews 5:13-14), maturing from receivers of simple truths to teachers of the Word, and Paul regularly prays for the church to grow in wisdom and understanding so they (we) can bear fruit ( Colossians 1:3-11). The Bible speaks often of growth and development. We know it all starts with the exchange of Christ’s life for our own and it ends in the glorious eternity of dwelling with God in heaven, but what of the in-between? This messy, mucky, mixed-up middle ground? Is there sense or order to our development as Christ-followers? We are all on a journey to the heart of God. Maybe to a waterfall, a mountain top, a camping spot, or a placid lake, but if there’s a trail there it’s usually because people have trod that path before in search of the something that lies beyond the asphalt and concrete. Who knew a trail could cause so much trouble? I try to be a bit wiser now, but I still maintain that a trail is an invitation that should not be passed up. My parents were thrilled that I was fine, and I was mortified. Praying I hadn’t been kidnapped for ransom. ![]() We jogged back up the path and when the bus came into view he simply pointed.Įveryone was on it. He said something into his radio, turned around, and motioned for me to follow him quickly. He was walking briskly and looked amused when he saw me. I didn’t stay long, trying to be mindful of the time, and as I emerged from the woods onto the open trail, a man approached me. I remember it so clearly: the meandering dirt path, the sunlight through the trees, the dancing brooke, the sweet conversation I had with Jesus. Well, we all have those moments when we’re not so smart, right? However, there was that trail, and without a second thought, I was off. I heard “go explore” while they heard “head for the bus.” There’s a trail over there that leads to a stream and the bathrooms are by the shop in the parking lot.” Now, this is apparently not what everyone else, including my parents, heard. The gates of hell will not prevail…Īfter being introduced to the significance of the place, I heard our tour guide say, “We’ll gather back on the bus in thirty minutes. Jesus stomped all over that playground of idolatry with the feet of the Living God. It was a wild declaration in a wild place: a place where a pagan temple once stood and children were sacrificed at the gates of hell.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |