I find it difficult to write about our Lord, and composing this devotion is no exception. It’s a good difficulty; a gracious collaboration with the Holy Spirit, beside whom we’re unworthy to sit at the conference table. But how can we sheep with our “Baa”-ing tongues & cloven hooves sing a song of praise to our Savior or pen a reflection worthy of our triune God – Father, Son, Holy Spirit? At every moment, thousands upon thousands of angels worship at His throne; creatures and nature sing his praise; Satan and the powers of darkness cower before and submit to His Holy Name, the name of Jesus. Our Almighty God is everything; the spring of living water that fills every thirst to overflowing! And, amazingly, the Bible says we can know our Creator deeply. The question is: Do I want to? Do you want to?
Ever been snow skiing? Listen, I’m not bragging about my athletic skills, which are scant few. If I throw you a ball, it’ll land behind my feet. If you organize a baseball team, you’d best stick me in the concession stand. Yum. I’m pretty good on snow skis, but it hasn’t always been the case.
As Floridians on a family vacation in Maine, my sisters and our teenage selves were first timers on the slopes. Lisa, Lori & I spent most of our day on the beginners’ trail, body-slamming other skiers, choking up the T-bar line, untangling limbs & equipment while sprawled in the snow – arms & legs bent at never before seen angles.
Still, at the end of the day, we were officially “skiers” , and we couldn’t wait to brag about it to our friends back home. Our buddies would never hear about near-deaths, from frostbite & embarrassment. In our minds, we’d return home victors,. But, deep inside, I wondered what it was like higher on the mountain. Because I’d seen the faces of those who’d been to the top— facial expressions so different from ours, and I wanted my smile to resemble theirs!
To my joy, I was blessed to spend a few more years skiing in Maine as a young adult. I was determined to conquer my own body, and its apprehensions, while still maintaining a healthy fear of the slopes. I actually listened to and heard the ski instructions given by a friend. And I applied them.
What an unbelievable experience skiing became for me with stops and turns becoming more natural. Epic falls, still? Yup, for sure! But with a newfound ability and confidence to return to my feet, I finished the intermediate and even the heart-pounding black diamond runs.
Such a tiny illustration of our relationship with the Lord. And though mountains are prevalent in the Bible, there’s no height nor depth nor width nor breadth that out-reaches our King.
Do I want to climb higher and to become more intimate with our God, or am I okay just to stay on the beginner slopes, where I’m allowed to remain for the rest of my life? If it’s the former, am I willing to pay the price? Jesus Christ must truly be first in my life. There must be a personal walk with the Lord. A walk that does not settle for safe, flat ground, but climbs.
We need committed time in prayer, worship, Bible reading, and studying the fullness of both Old and New Testaments. (Scripture pickers and choosers are bunny slopers at best, hazards at worst.) Fully participating in church is essential to our walk so we are worshipping our Savior and shining His light as a Body in such a way that the lost will hear the Good News. Be a game changer and strive for more intimacy with our King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and shine like a city on a mountain top.
The world and our hearts need such game changers!
Are we up for the climb?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I long to know You. Help me long to know You more. May You rule and reign over every area of my heart and life. May I run for and after only You, sharing the Good News, wherever I go. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Readings: Psalm 148, Isaiah 45, Revelation 4 & 5.
Michelle Edwards
