In Hawaii i used to take a lot more walks. Things weren't as busy over there. In Cali i haven't taken many walks around my neighborhood or explored many parks. It seems every time i intentionally try to meet with God while taking a walk, he immediately shows up and begins speaking to me in a variety of ways. The tough part is just to get my shoes on, throw a jacket on and get outside.
I often find myself caught and trapped in different worlds. What i mean by that, is that we often get lost in movies, tv, video games, entertainment, dreams, ambitions, school, work, technology, internet distractions, etc. For instance, when we walk into a mall, we are entering a world and culture that tells us what to worship and value. We are bombarded with things to buy, food, clothes, and shiny things. I'm not saying malls are bad, but why do we place so much value on having and possessing stuff. Another good example is the internet. There's facebook, email, youtube, music, hulu and other medias. We can easily be consumed by entertainment. There is a place and time for these things. I know i spend way too much time being on my laptop, when there is a world of beauty out there.
Today my goal was to get lost in God and to be consumed by Him. Sometimes we can't find the right radio frequency because of other distracting noises. Taking a walk allows one to get out of the house and to tune everything else out. Taking a walk allows one to observe nature. And creation seems to shout glory to God. For instance, as i was walking i saw a bunch of maple leaves on the ground. They were shades of red, orange, yellow, brown and green. They were all vivid colors and of all sorts of shapes and sizes. So i decided to stop and draw a couple, lol. i also saw this funny little squirrel, he was a fast little buggah. Stop to admire the beauty of life and then praise the Artist.
I thought it was interesting that what God's message for me was to learn how to listen and receive from Him. He was teaching me how to slow down, stop and take time out of our busy schedules to intentionally meet and commune with Him. Every moment we are given the opportunity to interact and participate in an intimate relationship with Him. Why not seize each moment to experience God to our fullest? How often are we receptive to the illumination of His Spirit? Do we have the eyes and ears to see and hear what God has in store for us today? Do we intentionally set aside time to invest in relationships with other people? Is it a priority and desire to enjoy fellowship, edify the church body, and worship with other believers? Where has our heart been lately?
Sometimes i can easily get caught up with knowledge and academic raw theology concepts. There's a place for that, but it can be useless without practical and personal application to our lives. Sometimes we need to stop and experience God's truths in our lives. We need to try to embrace His grace and absorb His love like a huge sponge. It usually results in an attitude of thankfulness and uncontainable joy.
Anyways, as i was walking i stopped on a curb in the neighborhood. I began to notice the cool wind surround me and rushing through the green trees. I took a deep breath and felt the fullness of being in God's presence. It's so much easier to encounter God in solitude. It was refreshing to find rest and peace in Him. I always found it interesting how much Jesus emphasized community and fellowship and yet He would often retreat to solitude. We too are to escape to God as our hiding place.
Wait upon God. Be ready and available to Him. Clear out the distractions buzzing in your head and get lost in God. Surrender any idols, confess sin. Cast your burdens upon Him, find refuge in Him, and give Him your entire heart. See the world as a child, cry out to Him and receive from our Abba, Father. Trust in His faithfulness, taste His goodness. Let gratitude draw you closer to this deep well of joy. Feast on His Word. Let the richness of His perfect, infinite, unconditional and explosive love satisfy your soul. Simply receive from Him. Do you hear Him calling? Can you hear His voice whispering? What is He speaking to you? Can you feel His relentless longing for you? Delight in Him, praise Him for all that He is, glorify Him for His sovereignty, rejoice in the salvation of the cross, dance in His freedom, become consumed in awe, and abide in Him.
