"God's Call".

For the last several weeks I have felt a pull upon my heart. There has been an attraction to the idea of wilderness. This draw has led me to the accounts of John the baptist primarily. I keep asking myself the question. why? Why was John there in the first place? Given his fathers role as high priest in the rotation and the cultures standard of the son following in the fathers "profession" why was John preaching in the wilds vs. the temple?

Some have said that Johns presence there was a rebuke to the religious establishment of his day. This is quite possible as he was very vocal about his feelings toward the Pharisees - those "brood of vipers" (Luke 3:7). Another has said that the wilderness for John was a sanctuary of sorts, it was a place of intimacy and isolation with The Father. It is this idea that resonates most with me.

For me the idea of wilderness is two fold; it represents a place alone, a spiritual existence where one is isolated from everything around them. A place where their heart is exposed and their soul laid bare before the Lord. The second aspect is the physical; for me the wilderness must be found out-of-doors, it cannot be separated from the fields, trees and waters. In this way the wilderness is anchored to this world just as we are while we remain in the flesh.

So what do I make of all of this? Well for now in the initial stages of this "pull" I have responded by setting aside time for early morning prayer - outdoors. As it is march its still fairly cold out in the morning and I cant say I'm enjoying that part but it does feel good praying without the distractions of all that transpires indoors. It brings a much needed focus to my prayer life.

During my latest time in "the wilderness" I read this passage:

Psalm 16:8-11 (The Voice)

8 He is ever present with me;

    at all times He goes before me.

I will not live in fear or abandon my calling

    because He stands at my right hand.

9 This is a good life—my heart is glad, my soul is full of joy,

    and my body is at rest.

    Who could want for more?

10 You will not abandon me to experience death and the grave

    or leave me to rot alone.

11 Instead, You direct me on the path that leads to a beautiful life.

    As I walk with You, the pleasures are never-ending,

    and I know true joy and contentment.

I will not abandon this call; on the contrary if I'm to become what the Lord would have me to be, I must progress forward in this, give myself fully to this pull to draw even closer to the one whom my heart desires. There can be nothing else.

Luther.

"Squeezing Lemons".

"The only way to know the quality of the juice is to squeeze the lemon".

This statement characterizes the season I am experiencing. As my family is weeks away from moving into our newly built home, I am conscious of not only the physical transition but what this move means for our future as a people of faith also.


This season was initiated through following the spirits leading. It reminds me of the parable of the "Pearl of great price" - We (my wife and I) have given up everything in pursuit of a new direction, no longer content to wander in the wilderness of religion. We have chosen to walk in the way of faith. Our attitude is either we will completely fail or people will stand in amazement at what is being accomplished through us. There is no in-between.


So back to lemons. This new season sounds very exciting. Its all new, dreaming and exploring the details of vision as we pursue our destiny. What we have found ourselves unprepared for was the squeezing of this transitory season. You see if the Lord is preparing you for something, and you submit to His process; then He has an obligation to prepare you for your assignment. We were not ready! And so this season has been one of squeezing; of testing and tempering. We both have been pressed in a myriad of ways most of which has been uncomfortable and speaking for myself; has challenged my resolve on more than one occasion.


I have learned things about myself that I never guessed would've been a part of my makeup. I have seen attitudes displayed that are unbecoming a believer. I have been made fully aware of my inadequacies before the Lords standards. I have also never been closer to my wife. Nor have I ever experienced a greater sense of family bonding than in this season. There have been many lessons learned and no doubt many more will follow. Do I feel prepared for the assignment ahead? honestly No I do not, but I think that's a good place to be. Dependent vs. independent.


My take away for this season is thus; for me to achieve and walk in the assignment that has been laid out before me I must yield to the molding process. I must allow The Lord to mold me into His vessel and no matter how uncomfortable this process is I am looking forward to the "lemonade" that follows.

Luther.