It is important to be able to work hard AND set time aside to explore God's creation. After the blog about listening to God, on Monday, I set off to spend time with God and do some exploring. It was quite cool but because we had some rain on Sunday, the water was flowing really well and the gorge was ... well .... gorgeous? God really was displaying His glory and creative ability in the way He put together this place! This is what I believe I heard from God through what I saw. I pray you are encouraged.
1. Leave Your Worries Behind!
When you take time to be with God, make sure you leave behind all your baggage, worries, fears and just enjoy the time with Him and what He shows you. When you entered this gorge, the gate was quite narrow and you could just squeeze in! Reminds me of the eye of the needle in Matthew 19:24.
And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Matthew 19:24
2. We were made for ADVENTURE!
I like feeling safe, sitting in my office, going out for coffee and knowing what I am doing and being in total control. Today, though, I felt alive when I had to find this gorge even when Google Maps and the signposts were hard to follow! God is calling us out of our comfort zones, to trust Him and to live in the adventure He has made us for. This is when we feel alive. Trust Him to direct your paths!
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
3. Your enemy lies waiting
I was walking down the rocks to the river and I heard this slithering in front of me and I saw a HUGE red belly black snake moving away from me as fast as it could! I thought it was too cold for snakes, but this one did not check the weather report? Even though the snake appeared powerful, it was more scared of me than I was of him! Satan cannot stand when we walk as God's children. God is with us and will protect us! Read Psalm 91 as well! (This lizard is all I could capture with my camera.... the snake was too fast!)
Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10.
4. Which Path?
When I started the walk, I found that the path turned to both the right and the left. I was not sure what to do. I stopped for a few seconds and trusted the right path was the best way to go. It was quite interesting that I returned on the other path via the path over the top of the hill!
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
5. Stay Busy and Focused!
It is easy to get caught up in pleasures and doing what you can to enjoy life. God has been challenging me to stay on task and to focus on the work He has given me to do. I have become more focused and really enjoying both the work He has been going me to do and the things I am doing on my days off. We have to be very careful to stay focused and active as when we stop, that is when we are tempted by the enemy. David, as King, should have been with his men in battle BUT he stayed at home. While He was resting ...... he sinned. Not being focused on what God has given us to do can give us a time where we can easily sin.
11 It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 11:1
6. When Things Are Uncertain... Keep Moving Forward
There were times on the track when I could not see very far forward. Was I on the right track. I had to trust that the track was leading me in the right direction and stay on it. Sometimes our journey gets quite difficult. Keep moving forward and allow God to direct you. Steve Furtick said that we have to get through the hard or tough times to get to the times of blessing! (eg: Joseph) God has promised He will instruct and teach us how to move forward and will guide us .... with His eye!
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye. Psalm 32:8
7. Stop and Understand The Dangers
When I walked into the park, I read the signs that told me of the dangers that I could expect. By reading the signs, I could be ready for these dangers and take measures to be safe. It.is so good to be able to be prepared. In life, read the Bible, seek wise friends and know the dangers and pitfalls ahead AND ask God how to move forward so you can be safe.
12 A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself;
The simple pass on and are punished. Proverbs 27:12
8. God's Glory is in ALL Creation!
When I looked around, the fingerprints of God were evident. Jesus spoke all things into being and everything was "good!" We were "very good". When we have a look at God's creation we can only marvel HIs awesome power, wisdom majesty and holiness. HIs glory is revealed as we look at and enjoy what He has made.... for us!
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, Romans 1:20
9. You Are Not Too Late To Be Shaped By God
When we get older we start to think that who we are now is fixed? Looking at some of the trees in the gorge, they grew in all different directions and STILL were a masterpiece! Just like the trees that have been cut, burnt, damaged, God can take anything and turn it into "good!". One of my favourite verses is where Jospeph tells that even though his brothers meant to harm him, God meant it for good. God can do this in your life!
20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Genesis 50:20
God can take anything and turn it into good!
10. You will have obstacles
As I was walking back, I discovered a couple of tree trunks across the path. I could not easily get over them but braced myself and climbed over! Going back briefly passed through my mind. Be prepared for the obstacles as they are guaranteed to be there. Have a resolve to keep moving forward and seek God to help you get over each obstacle in your path.
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1
God Wants To Speak To Us
Take time out to walk in God's creation and listen to Him. God wants to speak to us and share with us his thought, and show us who He is through His creation. This is a great time to thank God and really enjoy spending time with Him! Learn to walk with God and in His ways. When we do, God will bless us and He will look after us!
33 You shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess. Deuteronomy 5:33.
Quotes
“Those who walk with God, always reach their destination.” ― Henry Ford
“If I walk with the world, I can’t walk with God.” Dwight L. Moody
“God’s mighty power comes when God’s people learn to walk with God.” Jack Hyles
“I’m here, Let’s walk together.” – God
“Walking with God doesn’t lead to God’s favour; God’s favour leads to walking with God.” — Tullian Tchividjian
“Don’t worry God has gone before you and prepared the way. Just keep walking.”
“We want more men and women who walk with God and before God, like Enoch and Abraham.” J. C. Ryle
“Smart men walked on the moon, daring men walked on the ocean floor, but wise men walk with God.” Leonard Ravenhill