The clearest points on a map of Arkansas for the Nolands were Benton and Little Rock until yesterday when we turned another page in our travel guide and visited Hot Springs. We'd heard good things about this town we'd never visited and we weren't disappointed. The drive was beautiful even for the the tail end of a less than stellar autumn. As we entered the historic district we stayed alert to places we can go and things we can do when Julie and Nick come to visit for Christmas. Our visit was fairly quick but meaningful and enjoyable. While the remainder of the Natural State remains a mystery to us we can say we've been to Little Rock and Hot Springs and we could have bought the t-shirts had we needed t-shirts.
The spiritual journey God opens before us in His Word includes places we've been many times as well as whole new regions we may never enter in this lifetime. While I'm 28 years familiar with the path of a minister's wife in the U.S. who must learn to let go and take hold again, I can only guess at the experiences of a single missionary in another culture. So far, my travel log includes testimonies of learning to keep God first in a convenient life while other believers around the world learn to honor Him on paths of persecution. My goal isn't to feel guilty about what I've not been called to learn or to bemoan what I'm missing of the world. My goal is to continually invite God to fill me so "the scales" fall from my eyes to fully experience and learn in the places He leads me in my own journey. As we arrive and move on from these dots on our maps, they become meaningful places in our minds, hearts and spirits if we're packing gratitude, peace and praise in our hearts for where He leads us and what He teaches us.
Father, it's easy to feel swallowed up and lost in the world. Don't let Satan discourage us about all the places we've not been, the opportunities we've missed, or what we've not done for You. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit and plant Your Peace in our hearts as we follow You, our Guiding-God, on the path You've marked for us personally. If we try to step onto someone else's more glamorous path we'll miss the gems, the people, the opportunities You put on our paths for us specifically. Bless every cup of cold water we offer our fellow travelers and those who are lost. Remind us that we're part of the same Body, on the same team, and as we each carry out our own callings this Body grows stronger. Take the scales from our eyes and show us Yourself, seated on the throne of heaven and surrounded by praise. We praise You for Your loving faithful reign over us. Help us submit to Your plan and all the places You lead us as we walk with You.
In the name of Jesus who walked with You on beaches, up mountains, into valleys, up a hill, and out of a tomb!
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15
"Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized," Acts 9:18 (This happened immediately when Ananias placed his hands on Saul and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord -- Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here -- has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
"And again they shouted: 'Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.' The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: 'Amen, Hallelujah!' Then a voice came from the throne saying: 'Praise our God, all you His servants, you who fear Him, both small and great!' Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder shouting: 'Hallelujah! For our God Almighty reigns.'" Revelation 19:3-6
"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalm 100:4-5
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