I’d like to share with you another I talk I did for the Vigilant Women’s Retreat in Red River a few weekends ago.  You can read my first post about contentment here. 

Today, I want to share with you something that has been heavy on my heart for a while–His High Places.  What does that mean exactly?

I visited the mountains on several occasions and there are several things I have noticed about the mountains:

• Time moves more slowly in the mountains.
• You can find alone places.
• You see beauty and gain perspective.
• There is opportunity to simply rest and to abide.
• You can see more details from the heights.

In my last post, I talked about being content in all circumstances…right now, I want us to talk about taking Higher Ground.  Don’t we want to move to the next step?  Let’s get contentment, gentleness, and patience and lets go to the High Places with Him!

Have you ever read Hinds’ Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard?  It is a wonderful allegory showing us how we can triumph over evil and pain, grief and suffering by placing ourselves in the hands of God, who wants to bring all his children to him.  If you haven’t read this book, please check it out.  It will bless you! 

My favorite part of the story is when the author reminds us of what the valley looks like–aren’t we tired of being in the valley?

His intent has never been for you to live in the valley and the mundane.  You were created for greatness. 

He is calling you to GO! To follow Him on your own adventure, will you go??

On our 10th wedding anniversary, my husband, Brian, took me on a wonderful vacation, BUT…he wanted to go snorkeling. Now, I do not enjoy swimming where I can’t see.  I do not enjoy swimming when I can’t put my feet down firmly on a nice shiny swimming pool.  We went on a day when the water was choppy.  The skies were cloudy, and it just did not want to participate.  So, from the boat a lady much older than I jumped in and a child much younger than I jumped in.  Ok, now it was time for me to just do it.  I went in, I flipped and flailed in the murky water and swam as fast as I could–I don’t know what I was thinking!  Finally, I thought, “well, I should at least be able to tell Brian I saw something”, so I put my head down.  When I did, my entire perspective changed.  I couldn’t believe it.  A sense of calm washed over me.  It was quiet, it was peaceful, and I was experiencing such beauty like I had never seen before.  

Storms can be happening all around us but if I am following Him, my reality can always be peace and contentment.

Here are some truths to hang on to:

1)    No one can carry you to the High Place – you must make the journey yourself.  Spend the time, study His Word, Colossians 4:2.  If you have time for social media, you have time so spend with the Lord. 🙂

2)    The journey can be difficult and may seem like more than you can handle.

2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you.”  You can do more than you think you can.  My sons, a wrestler, tells me that your body can do more than it thinks it can.  You can do more spiritually than you think you can.  Stop making excuses and using family and kids as your excuse not to gain intimacy with the Lord.    Will we be women who wait for our circumstances to change or will we allow Him to change us?

3)    The journey puts priorities in line…you don’t carry unnecessary items to the High Place.  It makes the burden too heavy.  You cannot be all things to all people.  Choose where to spend your time and energy wisely.  Learn to say no and you are not the savior.

4)    You go to the High Places on purpose.  No one climbs a mountain by accident.  Are you willing and do you trust Him?

5)    If you will go–you will see people and situations more clearly.  No one in your life can dictate your attitude, responses or intimacy with Christ?  The closer you are to Him the more you see things the way He does.

John 21:15-19 says…
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.  Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”  Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

Stop regretting.  Aren’t we tired of going around the same mountain?  Regretting that we don’t have a quiet time, that we aren’t content or aren’t accomplishing our purpose?

We learn some things about who we are and Who He is on the trail to the High Place.  Spend some time thinking about this…   

• What is preventing you from going to the High Places?
• Difficulty in relationship, maybe spouse or children?
• Trouble trusting the Lord?
• Afraid of what it will cost you.

I’m praying for you.  My love,