My Due North

I never really understood what some people were referring to when they taught about "alignment" with God. I mean, I understand what the definition of the word is, but I just couldn't wrap my head around the definition having anything to do with being a Christian. I had so many questions.What does it mean? What does it look like? How do I get there?

I love to listen to good Bible teachings. There are so many great ones available to us these days. We have an information highway at our fingertips. We can use a search engine to find scripture references, dream interpretation, the latest "buzz" in the church world. It's awesome, it's amazing and it's scary!

Not scary in a "boogeyman" kind of way, scary in a "I don't want to be deceived" kind of way. We have to make sure we don't take every teaching at face value. We need to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. We need to make sure we are following the right master's voice. I also think it's important that we don't label a move of God as bad just because it doesn't fall into the perimeters of our limited understanding.

I feel compelled to gently warn you here. We cannot take short cuts into maturity in Christ. We cannot ride on someone else's anointing. We cannot hitchhike on someone else's personal journey. We cannot be lazy about our pursuit of the One. We need to spend time in our sacred place on our face in prayer and thanksgiving with the one our soul longs for. When we spend personal time with God, we learn to know His voice. We must know that we know that we know the genuine Word of God rightly divided to be able to recognize the counterfeit ways of this present world.

SELAH

And now......the Bright side.

There are no shortcuts to maturity but there is Divine Acceleration. God can restore anything, including time, by bringing a spirit of acceleration into your life. (gratitude to Graham for the lesson)

We can't ride on someone else's anointing, but we can hang around with them. I've always taught my kids that, "you are who your friends are". Good or bad it's true. If you know someone who walks close to Papa and you see something in their lifestyle that honors Jesus, hang around with them. It will rub off on you.

You can't be a hitchhiker on someone else's journey, but you can be an invited guest. If you discover someone who's journey makes your heart yearn to walk a similar path, come alongside them and offer to serve with them. Help them. You may just discover that their path widens in areas and makes room for you to walk shoulder to shoulder with them for a while.

And finally, don't be lazy in your pursuit for more of God. Lose sleep, skip meals, cancel cable and simplify your life. Prune away anything that does not produce Godly fruit.

The adventure of a lifetime is yours for the asking. Find your Due North and let His light be reflected in you. Strap on your boots and pack light, because everything we need to live an overcoming life flows to us from Him.

His whisper is like the breeze.

As I reflect on my life, I realize that there has never been a time when The Father has not been right beside me. At a very early age, He was my comforter. I used to have terrible nightmares, and I can remember opening the Bible and laying it across my little five year old chest and falling asleep feeling His presence.

I used to talk to God as if He were in the same room. I saw Heavenly images. It wasn't until I was a few years older that I would "learn" that my perception of God was wrong. I don't know if I was taught directly or indirectly, but I learned that God was on His throne and far away. I learned that He was watching over us from a distance and that He expected and rewarded certain behaviors and punished others.

I wasn't taught or even encouraged to entertain the idea that God was with us, in us and for us. That religious mindset led me to many years of searching for God and then ultimately, to many years of running from His love.

Thankfully, my loving Papa God passionately pursued me. From one end of my rebellion to the other, He walked beside me, protected me and continued to love me.

Until one day, when He leaned in so close....so close, and I heard Him whisper in my ear. He said, "I'm still here. Nothing you have done has surprised me or caused me to turn away."

I WAS UNDONE.

Papa spoke straight in to my heart and with one sentence, He destroyed the work of the enemy. With one whisper he drew me in to the wilderness to seek Him and then He let me find Him.

I am smitten by the beauty of The King of Kings. I am my Beloved's and He is mine.

It's been a while.

I stumbled upon this old blog today and I can't help but to smile.

I read all of my past posts. I spent some time getting reacquainted with the person who sat at this computer more than two years ago, sharing the ramblings of my own mind. Some of the posts made me laugh, others made me cry. Many of them brought confirmation of growth. I am not the same person I was two years ago. (Thank you Jesus)

I feel like I have emerged from the wilderness. I have a new understanding of who I am in Christ. Papa God has kept me hidden and quiet. It has been wonderful, and I am emerging with a new lens and a new voice.

Life is a sweet dance with the lover of my soul. I am really looking forward to this next season of adventure. I don't know where the path is going, I've walked to the edge of my map (thank you Graham Cooke for that perspective and teaching). I am at peace, at rest and at the same time filled with expectation. I am joyful, hopeful and have my eye on the horizon. I will try to remember to wander back here once in a while so I can describe the landscape.

God is so good. His plans for us are good. He loves us so completely. Ponder that and let it fill you.

Blessings.