Over the last week I have been really seeking God on some things in my life. All throughout the day, God had been dropping some nuggets into my heart. Recently I started a walking regiment in an effort to loose some weight. I have been using my walking time to really reflect on what it is God wants me to do and how he wants me to do it. I left work a little later than usual and couldn't make up my mind whether or not to walk. God spoke to me and said Go walk because this is where I can spend quality time with you. I started out on my walk and when I got to the spot where I usually start off on the trail, God said go the opposite way you have been going. I began thinking to myself if I go the opposite way I will be blinded by the sun. I don't have any shades because my husband sat on them the other day! That's a story for another day. I was obedient and followed God's instructions. God was telling me to go against the grain. He was telling me to do things different from what is normal or accepted. Earlier this week, I started a new bible study lesson called "Life: The Edited Version". The author's main scripture was Jeremiah 18:4 (HCSB) which says.. "But the jar that he was making from the clay became flawed in the potter's hand, so he made it into another jar, as it seemed right for him to do."
Here in this scripture, God is giving us a real-life example of how He, the master craftsman of our earthen vessels, wants to re-shape us into a beautiful work of art. Listening to God today and changing the direction of my physical walk is symbolic of how he wants to change our spiritual walk also. But that is not the best thing about my walk today.
Now as I began walking, in the opposite direction along the trail, the Sun appeared brightly in my eyes until I was sort of blinded by it. I continued along as the Sun darted in and out among the many trees along the trail. I watched as people walked passed me once and even twice. I started to get tired because I am so out of shape. I even thought about taking a seat on a bench along the way. As I rounded the bend on the last stretch of my walk, I was again blinded by the Sun. It was at that point God revealed to me that although I walked in the opposite direction unsure of how different the trail would be, He would show me His SON! The sun was there at the beginning of my walk and it was there at the end of my walk. All the time appearing through the forest of trees. As my Pastor/Husband says when he preaches, "You can go ahead and shout right there".
Throughout our life journey, we must stop and take time to fellowship with God. Away from the noise and hustle and bustle of everyday life. He wants a relationship with us. He desires to take a walk with us. Although you may get tired along the way, you cannot stop and sit on a bench. You must continue on. Paul tells the church of Philippi that ...
"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)
Some of you reading this blog may be feeling God tug at your heart for you to get to know him more intimately. He wants you to take a detour and walk with him.
Today God has called me to walk in the opposite direction, go against the grain and do what is abnormal. Maybe its time for me to practice some responsible irresponsibility as the author Mark Batterson says in his book "Wild Goose Chase". He has shown me as long as I am looking towards the Son, he will guide me every step of the way.
Demetria Murdock
