And yet here I am now, feeling out-of-sorts.
Feeling at a spot between "thin-places." ( some may call them 'thin places' )
Thin-spaces for me are not spiritual mountain-top experiences or locations, but instead places where I feel as though Heaven bends low to nearly grace the Earth. It is in these places where I find it the easiest to meet with God- not because of how high I have climbed, but because of how willing He is to enter in with me in where I am. I think it no mistake that the thin-spaces in my life, such as Cedar Campus and Camp are also the most beautiful- landscapes lotted with evergreens and seascapes welcoming shimmering waves.
But perhaps the hidden joy of leaving these thin-spaces (though often difficult), is that it )offers the simple truth that through Jesus and his life, death and resurrection, we can be a sort of thin-spaces oureselves. We as the redeemed church, we as individuals who are willing to be humbled before Jesus, The High King, who are willing to realize that it is not by our (my) personal gain but by God’s sacrifice and desire for us, may receive fully his ever-flowing grace; time and time again. and through his Spirit, we can be locations ourselves rich with God's Presence. Man, is that good-news, or what !
Now here I sit- back in ‘normal’ life, out of the woods and into the city, wondering what to do with all of this. What I must remind myself, what is so important for me to know, is my humble position before the LORD. He who has created me and redeemed me so that I may be in right relationship with Him.
Here is a reflection of mine from Cedar:
There cradled in my palms; a present reminder enclosed in a stone. It’s concave, calloused, holes. Its hollow divots, offered a place to stay. How much of me would have to go? How much of pride left at the door? Your sharp and gentle hands have chiseled out everything that is necessary- yet pain still remains. This new breeze offering a sweet aroma. Is that Your presence? Is that Your delight? I see a rock in my hands, being tenderly molded. In the silent still I have seen the stone grow smaller and smaller still. It took empty palms for me to realize that I was the one with the holes. How much of me would have to go? He shone towards me with bright eyes, offering a smile. How much of me do you want?
* * *
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,[f] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. [ Hebrews 4:16 ]
Feeling at a spot between "thin-places." ( some may call them 'thin places' )
Thin-spaces for me are not spiritual mountain-top experiences or locations, but instead places where I feel as though Heaven bends low to nearly grace the Earth. It is in these places where I find it the easiest to meet with God- not because of how high I have climbed, but because of how willing He is to enter in with me in where I am. I think it no mistake that the thin-spaces in my life, such as Cedar Campus and Camp are also the most beautiful- landscapes lotted with evergreens and seascapes welcoming shimmering waves.
But perhaps the hidden joy of leaving these thin-spaces (though often difficult), is that it )offers the simple truth that through Jesus and his life, death and resurrection, we can be a sort of thin-spaces oureselves. We as the redeemed church, we as individuals who are willing to be humbled before Jesus, The High King, who are willing to realize that it is not by our (my) personal gain but by God’s sacrifice and desire for us, may receive fully his ever-flowing grace; time and time again. and through his Spirit, we can be locations ourselves rich with God's Presence. Man, is that good-news, or what !
Now here I sit- back in ‘normal’ life, out of the woods and into the city, wondering what to do with all of this. What I must remind myself, what is so important for me to know, is my humble position before the LORD. He who has created me and redeemed me so that I may be in right relationship with Him.
Here is a reflection of mine from Cedar:
There cradled in my palms; a present reminder enclosed in a stone. It’s concave, calloused, holes. Its hollow divots, offered a place to stay. How much of me would have to go? How much of pride left at the door? Your sharp and gentle hands have chiseled out everything that is necessary- yet pain still remains. This new breeze offering a sweet aroma. Is that Your presence? Is that Your delight? I see a rock in my hands, being tenderly molded. In the silent still I have seen the stone grow smaller and smaller still. It took empty palms for me to realize that I was the one with the holes. How much of me would have to go? He shone towards me with bright eyes, offering a smile. How much of me do you want?
* * *
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,[f] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. [ Hebrews 4:16 ]