When Storms Come

God wants us to reach the point of being able to weather the storms.

The eleven o'clock news says that the temperature tomorrow is going to be 75 degrees, skies will be clear and the sun will be shinning throughout the day. You get excited because you just love warm, sunny weather! You go to bed with a mental list of all the exciting outdoor activities you will do tomorrow. You will take a walk around the neighborhood; maybe stop at your favorite tree and read the latest book you bought. You plan on lying in the sun for a while -- working on your much needed tan. To wrap up your perfect day, a family barbecue in the backyard, complete with hot dogs, soda and backyard games. You slip into a deep sleep, eagerly waiting for the next day.

The alarm goes off; you happily press the off button anticipating the day ahead. Then it happens, in the distance you hear the soft sound of approaching rain!!!! Your mood takes a nose dive, your anticipation and excitement dissipates, your entire day is RUINED! You run for the television, hoping that the rain is here for a short time and it will soon pass. Much to your dismay, not only was the weather man completely off on today's weather, but there are storms coming and expected for the rest of the day—possibly the rest of the week.

How many of you can relate to this scenario? How often are our "perfect" lives ruined by the storm that's coming? I am here today to tell you that it is time for us to embrace the storm that is ahead! It is time for us to bring to life the lyrics of Casting Crowns song! It is high time that we realize that the storms we so hate, are necessary and that hidden within are incredible blessings.

There are five points that God has given me to drive this into our spirits.

1. During overcast skies, the suns rays are more powerful.
2. We need to be prepared and watch for the warning signs
3. Rain and or storms are necessary for the growth and cultivation of earth.
4. Rain cleanses and refreshes
5. We can miss God's blessing(s)

Point 1

 I have always enjoyed laying out in the sun, the brighter the sun the better my tan. I hated it when I had planned to spend some time in the sun and wake to discover it is overcast. It was not until recently that I learned that the suns rays are actually more powerful when it is overcast. How could that be? Surely, when we are in direct sunlight we get a better tan. The rays of sun are bearing down on us, we can FEEL the burn. I can look and see myself growing darker during the process. When it is overcast, I can't feel myself tanning. I feel like an idiot lying underneath dark skies. I can't even feel the heat and I become cold. However, if I continue to lie beneath the dark skies, I end up with a much better tan then usual. I am always amazed when I look in the mirror and realize how much I darkened.  Our spiritual lives are very similar to this. Often we can feel the burn of Christ in our lives; we can see the results of what he is doing firsthand and we are content in the Son.  Oh, but when the storm clouds roll in and the sun is hidden behind the clouds, we suddenly become anxious, upset, and concerned because we no longer "feel the burn."  We are all about praise and thanks when the sun is shinning brightly, but the second it becomes over cast and the storm clouds roll in, it is though everything we know and believe goes right out the window. We spiral downward into a mess of fear, defeat, anger, and frustration. Our peace that passes all understanding is zapped! Let's just face it, we don't like storms! I am here to tell you; from firsthand experience, that it is in the times of darkness that God penetrates the deepest! God does something in us when we go through storms that can't be done if life was always easy. Could you imagine is life was always peaches and cream? We would have no worries, no fears and we would all walk around with a big smile on our face. Oh, but the spiritual part of us would be dry and longing for water. We would all be stuck at the same spiritual level and none of us would grow. Isn't part of the Christian walk a desire and need for growth? We're to move from glory to glory. It is in the time of storms that God does his greatest works within us. We might not be able to "feel the burn" or see the results of what God is doing, but it is happening and it is more powerful then when we are in those time of saturated sunlight.

Point 2

There are warning signs before a storm. The sky begins to grow darker, the clouds roll in and fill with water, sometimes the wind picks up, and you can begin to smell rain in the air. Often there is a slow rumble of thunder in the distance. We are typically aware that a storm is on its way. We have time before the storm hits to take cover and PREPARE for what's to come. If our car windows are down and it begins to rain, we're not going to stand outside the car and wail as the rain soaks the interior of the car. No, we're going to take appropriate action and roll the windows down. Spiritually, we need to do the same thing. When the warning signs begin, it is time for us to take action to prevent damage. Now hear me out, storms are never easy or painless. However, we can prepare so that they are not damaging! God never intends for the storms to be damaging. As woman of God, we need to tap into our divine ability to pray in order to prevent. It will do us no good to see it coming and just cry about it. It will also do us no good if we're not looking for the warning signs. We, as woman of God need to learn to stop the enemy in his tracks and beat him at his own game. When we hear the storm approaching, we need to be on our knees in prayer. God is waiting and ready to move in and prevent damage from occurring. If there is one thing God has taught me, it is that he doesn't move on his own. He is fully capable of stepping into any and all situations and with the snap of his fingers, fixing it. However, he won't do that. He wants us to reach a point of prayer and needing Him. God wants us to ask for his help. God wants us to be spiritually grown up enough that we can be aware of when a storm is lurking and take appropriate action. A storm came into my life not too long ago. This was a whopper of a storm, the worst I'd ever been through. I was not heeding the warning signs and I was not prepared for what was to come. I was hit out of no where and a lot of damage occurred because I did not listen when I was shown the signs and I didn't prepare. Despite all of that, God is greater and more powerful then the damage that occurred and he was there to help clean up the aftermath. God worked in his divine way and the damage didn't become permanent. Oh, but how great it would have been if he hadn't had to help clean up anything, if there had been no damage. We need to be ready! We need to pray for strength. We need to pray for the ability to handle whatever it is God is going to do through the storm. We need to pray against what the enemy has planned for the storm. We need to pray that God will open our eyes and show us what the storm is for and help us to accept it. We do not need to pray against the storm or that God will stop it from happening. The storm is there for a reason. We do need to be prepared for the battle that lies within the storm and spiritually aware of what the enemy will try to do. Whatever God tries to do for good, the enemy is going to try and ruin.

Point 3

The earth cannot grow (as it's supposed to) without rain. There is no other way for growth and cultivation to take place. The earth has to have rain in order to thrive and survive. Spiritually, we are the same. We are not going to grow spiritually in strength if we are without nourishment. How do you become spiritually strong? You go through storms, trials, and tribulation! It is through the times of struggle, pain, and loss that we become the strongest.  I am strong because God imparted strength unto me through the storms in my life! I am not strong on my own accord. I am not strong because I just won't let life defeat me. No, I am strong because God has given me strength in times of intense pain. I have grown spiritually through trials and tribulations. The greatest lessons I have learned come from the times that I felt whooped up on. There have been times that I look back on the storms in my life and I think, there is no way I would be where I am right now if it wasn't for that storm. If I had not gone through the storms in my life, I would not be where I am today spiritually and I would have no strength. We need strength in order to survive in today's world. God gives us that strength willingly, but the strength that God imparts to us in times of trial, is the best kind of strength. People are always saying to me, "oh you're so strong. I wish I had your strength. How do you remain strong?"

  These storms are not only used to water the earth, but it also to soften the soil and make it easier for a seed to be planted. I want you to think about what I just said. It softens the soil so seed can be planted. If the ground is hard then when a seed falls it can't penetrate. Not until the rain comes and the ground is softened can the seed begin to take root. God once spoke to me and said; "Tiffany, your heart has become so hard and so rough that I have no access." I saw an image in my head of a concrete block that was once my heart and there was no way any seed could be planted in me, much less take any root. I had hardened my heart so much towards God and people that he couldn't move in me anymore. That is a sad place to be and I felt really hopeless. Soon after God told me this, I faced the biggest and most tragic storm of my life thus far. This storm just about took me down all the way. There were days when I believed I would never rise out of the trial I was in. God wanted to break up the hard soil of my heart and begin to plant seed in me again that could take root, and in order for that to happen; a storm had to blow through. Only this storm didn't blow through, it lingered for a very long time. I was at a revival one evening during this storm, and God began to show me how the storm in my life was for my good. He showed me how he was growing me and taking me from glory to glory. My heart began to soften and I could picture the hard soil moistening under the hand of God. God planted seed that night that has taken root in my life.  God is going to release rain and storms onto you, but it is for your growth and improvement that he is allowing it. He wants to plant seed in your life; He wants to see that seed take root and blossom. I pray that we can reach a point of thanksgiving for the storms in our life, so that we will be open and softened for the seed he wants to plant.

Point 4

I come to my final point; Storms cleanse and refresh the earth. Have you ever been outside after a good rain storm? The earth smells so fresh. People are so in love with the refreshing scent of rain that air fresheners carry scents called, rain, after the rain or my personal febreeze favorite, walk in the rain. There is something so clean about rain. It washes the dirt off our cars, mailboxes, and porches. It gets the grime off the sidewalk that has built up. The rain beats and washes away dirt and impurities. The storms in our life have the same effect spiritually. The spiritual storms we face have a way of bringing to the surface our impurities. If we grow in Christ, then we have to get rid of something to make room for the new. You can't plant new seeds in the same place that an old plant sits. That just won't work. You have to first remove the old plant to make room for the new seed. As woman of God, He isn't going to allow things that are not of Him, to remain within us. Sometimes God shows us what needs to go and we want to fight him on it. That area of our life is just so pleasurable and we plan on holding onto it for just a little while longer. We have struggled with it for so long that we just don't know how to get out from under it. Well, we best get ready for a storm! God is going to get rid of the impurity one way or the other and if we won't relinquish it willingly, then he's going to beat it out of us. This isn't always the case. Sometimes there is something inside us that we're not aware of and during the storm, it bubbles to the surface and washes away. God can pinpoint something that we are not even aware of and before it becomes a problem, wash it away. Wow!

 When a heavy rain falls, the earth is saturated and deep areas within are even reached. The rain goes deep into the soil. Spiritually, storms do the same thing in our lives. God reaches us at a much deeper level, within the hidden places of our hearts. God saturates us. God is using the storm to purify and cleanse you at a deeper level. I don't know about you, but I don't want God to just work on the surface, I want him to penetrate deep within my soul. After the storm, we walk out refreshed, smelling of cleansing rain, and made new deep within.

Point 5

All of this is wonderful and beautiful. God has shown us that storms are for our benefit, they are necessary and will take place. However, if we choose to focus on the bad that occurred during the storm, we will completely miss the work God has done. We all hate the mud puddle that conveniently appeared right outside your door so that you step in it when you're late for work. We really don't appreciate how our newspaper is so soaked we won't be able to read it. The back screen door with its trickle of water that gets inside really annoys you! These things are only small parts of a bigger work. We don't realize that our neighbor's income depends on his crop and that it is now growing rapidly. Our backyard well is now filled to overflowing and we won't have to worry about it going dry. The tree that was dying in the backyard is springing back to life which means in three months it won't be falling on your house like it was going to. When storms come, we have to look at the good in them. We need to be looking for Jesus in the midst of it all. If all we do is focus on how bad things are then we miss the blessing(s) God has in store for us. Just like the Word of God promises, we are taken from glory to glory and there is a blessing(s) at the end of the storm!

 Isn't God awesome like that? The enemy would never have us face a trial for our good! If we face a trial that Satan has set up, you can guarantee it's for our destruction and removal. God allows storms and trials to take place in our life, but it is ultimately for our good! He has something great planned! After you have faced a storm and realize that God was with you the entire time and you see what He did, your previous fears or doubts seem to wash away. You have seen and experienced first hand what God has done and you have FAITH and STRENGTH that you didn't before. Embrace the storm and the rain, realize that it is four our nourishment and growth. Relish in knowing that each storm is working with God towards our completion. 

Currently Reading Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul By John Eldredge, Stasi Eldredge see related

Throw it on the Ground

I was recently speaking to a friend about my calling. Lately I have felt that God is going to bring about a big change. I am fearful of what I feel he is asking of me. As I was talking to her, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and reminded me of something I had said two years earlier. Two years ago, I was asked which biblical figure I would be; with much thought, I said Moses. I explained that I admired Moses for laying his life down in order to do what God asked of him. I too wanted to work in God’s kingdom and delivering his daughters from pain and oppression. My heart is with the hurting and needy. God is asking me to be a Moses and reminded me that I asked for it. J Upon remembering what I had said, God began to shed new light on parts of Moses story. This story which I have read many times over suddenly revealed something new.

I begin in Exodus Chapter 3:1--- “Now Moses was tending to the flock of Jethro his father-in-law.” I want you to underline that part of this verse. I also want you to begin to get into your thinking the fact that Moses was a shepherd. This is going to be important for two reasons. From this passage, we understand that he is a shepherd. No where else in this scripture does it mention an occupation other then a that. This means that Moses whole life revolved around tending sheep. Being a shepherd is how Moses made money and this is how he lived his life. This is a man who is “slow to speak and tongue.” Ex. 4:10. Apparently, Moses doesn’t have a lot going for him. He doesn’t have riches or a fancy home. He is working for his father-in-law, which let’s just be honest no one wants to do. To top it off he has a speech impediment. Therefore, in the eyes of those around him, Moses was not someone of great significance. It is also important to remember that Moses has also committed murder.  Ex. 2:11-12 “One day after Moses had grown up; he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. Glancing this way and that and seeing no one, Moses killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.”

My reason for focusing on his occupation, his lifestyle and the fact he murder a man is to get it in your mind that--- God can use anybody! Mark 16: 15 says; “He said to them. Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” This is a direct quote from Jesus himself upon his decent into Heaven. Jesus did now say, only those who people think are perfect must go. He didn’t say only those who have attended a seminary and know the teachings of the Bible can go. No, Jesus said to them “go into all the world…”  God is not only asking those he has called and appointed to go forth. Anyone in anyplace can be used by God at anytime. If you are praying for the world and nations, you are doing the work of God from your knees. The enemy will use fear against you, fear that your past is too bad or you’re too insignificant a person to be used by God. This is a lie of the enemy. As we clearly see from scripture Moses has killed a man, yet God still chose to speak to him, in an astounding way, and calls him to free God’s people. Moses had a speech impediment; still God did not hesitate to call forward Moses. God knew Moses heart and his circumstances did not effect what God wanted to do. Moses should give us all hope that God can use anyone, even you. J If you are still doubtful then let’s move to John 21:15. Here we see that God is speaking to Simon Peter. Peter had, only days before denied Christ three times. Verse 16 says; “Again Jesus said, Simon son of John, do you truly love me? He answered, yes, Lord, you know that I love you. Jesus said, then take care of my sheep”.  We have man who had denied Christ three times, during Jesus’ worse time of trial. Yet, Jesus says to Peter: “take care of my sheep.” God refers to his children as his lambs. Therefore, Jesus is saying to Peter, take care of my people. Jesus is entrusting a man who denied him, with the hearts of his people. God can’t use you? I think he has made it clear he can. J   Trust me ladies, if God can use me---he can use anyone. I was once the biggest mess you’ve ever seen.

Return to Exodus and we will finish studying the key parts of Moses story that God showed me. While tending to the flock Moses comes upon Horeb, the mountain of God. Verse 2-5 “There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush; Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, I will go and see this strange sight---why the bush does not burn up. When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where your standing is Holy ground.” I love the last line of that verse. I think it is beautiful. Verse 10-11 “So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt. But Moses said to God, “who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt? Right away Moses doubts his significance to do this great work which God has asked of him. He is already unsure. I particularly love God’s answer to Moses question. Verse 12 “I will be with you.” I have to laugh at this, because how often do we ask God a troubling question brought on my doubt and he answers back so simply. “I’m with you…” God doesn’t give him an explanation right away; He simply says I’m with you Moses. It would be great if that was all Moses needed to feel confident. However, it isn’t. Moses continues to ask God how he can do what God is asking of him. As we see, God already has it taken care of and all planned out. We can all really learn from this. When God calls us to do something, rest assured he has it all worked out ahead of time and taken care of. He is not going to call you and then leave you to figure it all out on your own. He is with you! God has gone ahead of you and will take care of you. He knows what he is requiring of you and the sacrifice it takes. I also want to mention once more that Moses is a shepherd. How interesting that God would then call Moses to lead his people out of captivity. Moses leads for a living, God knew that and placed him in a calling he could relate to and know something about it.

Move to Exodus chapter 4:2-4. This is where God really opened my eyes and gave me a profound realization. “Then the Lord said to him, “what is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied.”  I want us to pause there and take this in. Moses staff is something very important to him. His staff represents his lifestyle and work as a Shepherd. In essence, he can’t work without the help of his staff. I want to purpose the idea that Moses staff meant a great deal to him. What in your life means a great deal to you? We go to verse 3; “The Lord said,“Throw it on the ground.” I want to pause again. Let’s really think about what God just asked of Moses. God has just told Moses to relinquish his staff and throw it before God. Remember what Moses staff represents in his life. Therefore, God has just asked of Moses to let his life go before God. “Throw it on the ground,” God says. When I read this, I can almost hear my mother’s tone of voice when she was asking me to something she knew I didn’t want to do. “Let it go Tiffany, drop it!” How often does God tell us to let go of something, to drop it before Him and we hesitate. Let’s see what Moses does. “Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake…”“…and it became a snake.” God has taken dead wood (Moses staff) and turned it into something living and breathing. I want to pause yet again. Moses threw that staff down. I can almost see him dropping it so fast you would think it was on fire. Moses does not hesitate he does exactly what God has asked him to do. Moses has relinquished the staff, that as we recall represents his very lifestyle. I don’t know if Moses even gave that staff any thought. I don’t think he even thought about the fact that staff was his tool in life. Moses simply and quickly obeyed. Wow, I don’t know about you but I think that is an incredible image. Now let’s look at what God does when Moses drops his staff.

 Ladies; Moses staff represents our lives and the things in it we don’t want to let go off and throw before God. Moses staff came to life. Do you want what is on your heart and in yours hands to have life?  If we are willing to quickly obey God when he calls and lay our life down to do His will; God is going to take that dead wood in our hands and bring it to life. God is going to bring that dream we have and that calling we know he has pressed on our hearts and he is going to give it LIFE. Not only is he going to give it life but as we talked about earlier, He is going to be with you. God is going to prepare a way and work the circumstances of our calling out before we even accept it. It is time to commit our lives and all of our ways unto the Lord and let go of the “wood” in our hands. I don’t know about ya’ll, but I am ready to see my dreams and calling breathe life.

Virginia Tech Tragedy

Would we re-write our yesterday?

WhenColumbine happened I was in HS and I remember being really effected,however I was home schooled and didn't really understand what it mustbe like. Now I am on the other side. I have been in college for almostfour years. We students have experienced what it is like to haveimmense school pride, join with people you would never speak to andmake a community. The familiarity of this campus is our comfort. Weknow every building, hall and a large majority of the professors.Familiar faces are at every corner and we take delight in knowing thisis our home. What happened at Virginia Tech has affected a lot ofcampus communities worldwide and ours is no exception. I can not evenfathom what VT's pain must be like, they're feelings of betrayal andintrusion from one of their own. They have lost all sense of security.I would be devastated if anything like that was to take place here; atour home amongst our family. I don't think I will ever go to class thesame as I used to. Fear is of the enemy but truthfully what some of usare feeling is fear; I am not the only one. If it happened at VT whatstops it from happening here? Classmates, friends, and I have evendiscussed campus shootings. Not too long ago we talked about how itwould never happen here and that the buildings are safe. What onceseemed so impossible is now possible and I don't have much security.  Peoplehave already jokingly made threats. The fear is etched in the back ofmy mind. In literature class today I sat by the door that was wide opento the hallway and with every odd sound I heard, I felt uneasy. Thatshouldn't be. Oh how I long for my eternal home: a place of totalpeace, safety, and comfort away from the fears of this world.

Asa college student, this event feels very personal. God has brought to light once more the inevitable fact that our life here is but a blink of an eye. No one is guaranteed their next breathe. I am so quick to forget. What breaks my heart and makes me ache for those killed and wounded is that all they did was go to class. I can't image the thoughts that ran through their minds as they died or sit healing in a hospital. They were simply pursuing a dream of an education, staying committed to their classes and the responsibility. Never in a million years would the thought "I am going to die in class" come across my mind. Class is a comfort zone,  a place where every face is familiar and you're enjoying learning, not worried about your death. There was no preparation for what lied ahead. Life existed and life passed in a matter of seconds. I ask you this question, how many of those killed would have re-written their last day on earth? I guarantee all of them would. I am constantly reminded that life is precious and not timeless. Today could by my last day in my temporary home, no one knows but God. If I die today, would I rethink yesterday? Yes, I would have gone to bed when my husband did and cuddled him longer rather then staying up to perfect a draft; adraft, not even for a grade. I would have spent more time with my heavenly Father preparing my soul for the next day. I would have returned the 12 voicemails on my phone. I would have called my parents and best friend whom I have not spoken to in a week.  I would have enjoyed my day rather then rushing through it. I would have hugged my husband for a little longer this morning rather then worrying about the fact I had to leave in 20 minutes and had not put on my make-up. How shallow of me and that would never matter if today was my last day. My mother has always emphasized the fact that we're not promisedtomorrow. In fact, she probably mentions it about 3 to 4 times a day. She is always saying "now girls what if this were your last day? Wouldyou say that to your sisters?" Sometimes we give her a hard time and when she begins to say "what if this is our last day?", we interrupt her and chant the quote we know so well. The thing is she is right and now I am thankful for her constant reminder. My mother knew what she was talking about.  Truthfully, I never think about the fact today could be my last day. Subconsciously, I don't think I have really believed it. Who honestly walks around thinking about that? We all should be! Not in a frightful way but in the way God intended. We need to mindful of our every action, word and deed. Are we giving an accurate representation of Christ everyday? Would we be proud of the glory we brought to him the day before our death? We are his hands and feet, set here on a mission and we need to be actively fulfilling it everyday. Part of our mission is being apart from the world and realizing how precious the intangible vs. the tangible is. I can't physically touch or hold onto the love between Jon and I but it surpasses all the intangible pleasures of life. That is only one example.

 InEcclesiastes God has an important message for us. I can not quote allof the chapters; I can offer a snippet of them. I encourage you to readEcc. Ch. 1-6. Ecc. 4:4 says, "Then Iobserved that most people are motivated to success by the envy of theirneighbors, but this too, is meaningless, like the chasing of the wind.Ecc. 5:16 "As people come into this world, so they depart. All theirhard work is for nothing. They have been working for the wind, andeverything will be swept away-- throughout their lives they live undera cloud--frustrated, discouraged, and angry."

Basically speaking, other then what we do for the Kingdom of God and to his glory is meaningless. The ways of the lord are not meaningless. God desires me to spend more time to my calling as Jon's wife then to the vain pleasures of this world. I slip up a lot. I am not saying that God doesn't want us to work hard at our education and jobs... what I am saying is that with everything we do it needs to be meaningful and not in vain. We need to strive to truthfully live apart from this world. Only then can we begin to live each day as it is our last. Like many situations in my life, God has used this tragedy to re-open my eyes to what Gods Word says and what I should be doing. My prayer is that we all get God's words about this deeply planted withinour spirits.  I pray we remember how short our life here is and that we need to live meaningful, Godly lives as though we knew today was our last.

Currently Listening The Worship Collection By Craig & Dean Phillips see related

Why are we so easy to give up? God promised that we won’t be given more then we can handle. Our bad situation will work out. Therefore, what is the meaning of giving up? How often do we miss a blessing because we wear out? What great works has God been poised to do, and we throw out hands up.

Last fall I went on a weekend retreat. God was with us every second of that weekend. His presence was obvious and powerful. On the second day, we went on a small hike. I was in a group of 32 young women. The “small” hike seemed to taking a lot longer then expected. My legs began to burn and my lungs felt small. It appeared as though we were going in circles, retracing our steps. I pressed on. I, along with my dear friend Katie, talked, sang, and enjoyed the outdoors. We began to wonder amongst ourselves how long we had been hiking. Our lovely tour guide read the signs that led the way and insisted that the end was over the hill ahead. Katie and I were in the front of the pack. We naturally walk fast. We faced the hill ahead. The road was extremely narrow and darkened by the forest that closed in on all four sides. The sunlight seemed to fade behind us; the heat of the sun could not be felt on our necks. Shadows overcame us as we trudged up the hill. The hill that once seemed easy to defeat, now seemed endless and a lot steeper then we all imagined. I pressed on. I had hardly any air left in my lungs and my legs hurt so bad I could cry. I pressed on. Katie was at my side, panting and sweating up the hill that from afar had appeared so easy to climb. The incline we traveled was covered in stones and weeds we tripped over. Horse manure was directly in the center of our path. We held our noses and tried to avoid it. The climb had become so intense that Katie and I had to lean on one another to finish the climb. We took turns supporting one another’s weight and helping the other over the stones and manure. Only a few yards ahead laid the top of the hill. We had our eye on that goal. I recall mentioning how hard it must have been for Christ to climb his hill to crucifixion, only he bared our cross. Katie agreed and said “yea we’re lucky.” I thought about all the hills I would never face because Christ faced the ultimate hill for me. It could be a lot worse. Katie and I were now only a matter of several feet from the top, our journey was about to pay off. I looked behind me at the countless young women behind us. A few were only a few footsteps behind our own, other were so far off I couldn’t see who they were. Someone hollered for us to stop. Katie and I paused, thankful for the quick recharge. “We’re turning around!” My head began to spin! I thought, “turning around? Are you kidding me? Do you have any clue how hard this climb has been for those of us up here?”  The goal within realistic grasp, Katie and I turned around. We quietly took the hill back down. Our bodies were in relief, the land had flattened out, and the sun was on our backs again. The young woman explained they could not finish the hike up the hill, they had grown too tired. They had made the decision to turn around and go back the way we came.

 The walk was definitely easier on the body. However, we saw all the same sights we had on the way up. We passed the same waterfalls and broken trees. We even passed the familiar group of swimmers. It was on this trail that the Lord spoke to my heart and said; “how often do you think people give up when they are only a few feet from the top of the hill.” I told Katie what the Lord has just said to me. She nodded her head in agreement, and I knew she was as disappointed as I was that they had chosen to turn around. It occurred to me that we would never know what was on the other side of that long, treacherous climb to the top. The hill had defeated us.

 I was not amongst the group who wanted to turn around. In this situation, I wanted to persist up the hill and see what was on the other side. However, in other circumstances in my life I choose to allow the hill to defeat me. I give up, moments before my break through. I can not return to those hills placed in my life and go peer at what was on the other side. The hill has expired, never to be trodden upon again. If I could have seen what was on the other side, would I have continued?

In life, we make decisions that lead to a choice. In that group, we had those of us who made the decisions to withstand the conditions of the climb and persist to the top. There were others of us who complained the entire way and made the decision to turn around moments before the top was reached. Each decision led to a choice. I made the choice  to no longer consciously allow the enemy to defeat me on the hill. Some of the girls who wanted to turn around are continually seen defeated half way up the hill. Did my persistence give me the blessing of God revealing something to me? Had I given up halfway, would he still have spoken those few words that ultimately changed my view of the hills in my life? Would I still be a mindless hill wanderer under constant defeat?

As I face the hills in my life, I remember what God spoke to me that fall day. What is on the other side of my hill? What blessing or realization could come from my persistence? Sure, I didn’t make it to the top of that hill that day. However, I did not allow defeat to take over. I was determined to reach the top. In my heart, I had set a goal and kept it in site. Due to my unfortunate circumstance of not being allowed to stray from the group, I had to turn around. However, God knew my heart and how I had every intention of making it to the top. We must make the decision to face our hills with persistence. We must be aware of the traps the enemy lays along the way. For us it was stones and horse manure. We must remember that although the road is narrow and the sun is not on our back, we are being led. It says in Psalms 23, he walks with me in the valley of the shadow of death. We will always face hills and dark, deathly valleys. However, fear not, the sun may not be on your back, He is however at your side. He has a reason for your hill, for the manure and for the rocks. Make the decisions to persist and the choice to be blessed in persistence. Peer at the sun through the dark trees; don’t focus on the manure at your feet. Normally we spend so much time crying about our bad circumstance that we miss the blessing. They are rare times in which I think “I wish I was sick again, I wish I could relive that time that God moved so powerfully in my life.” There is so much blessing, so much grace, and love to the shared in our dark times. God works most when it seems dark. It is then that he is paving the way for a blessing. It is then that he is maturing our walk, stretching us and sometimes revealing our calling. Embrace every season, the good, and the bad. Make the choice to be happy and enjoy all seasons of life, even the ones that bear a hill or two. Every season holds a purpose.  God only know what lies at the top and he wants you to share in his secret.

____________________________________________________

Verses to Meditate On

Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One). Philippians 3:8

Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1

To EVERYTHING, there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you if you heed the voice of the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 28:2

Journaling for the Heart

When faced with a hill what is your typical response? When dealing with a hard circumstance what is your first plan of action?

What does the Word of God say we should do in times of trial?

How do you want your attitude to change when it comes to the “hill(s) in your life? How are you going to work towards those changes?

If you are facing a hill in your life and would like prayer, please message me on xanga or e-mail me at Wildcatz55@hotmail.com. On the flip side, if you have a testimony about how God helped you through a season on a hill, please share it with me. With your permission, I would like to use them in future messages, if I feel led to.  I love ya’ll =)

Tiffany <><