Too Many Lives: Seasons of Seeking (Part 3)

I have been reading through the piles of journals which are now construed all over the floor in our family computer room.

One of the things I love most about keeping all these journals is that I forget. A lot. Like sometimes, what I did yesterday. Often also, what God did and has done for me, sometimes over and over again. So I am committed to writing down my journey. I am a scribe to the life God is revealing to me. To some it is quite hidden. But to others who seek to dig deeper, we meet in the kingdom of conversation and fellowship, reverence and joy, in the presence of a Mighty King.

“For you have died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God”

Colossians 3:4

I have journeyed many places since my eyes have been opened to the kingdom (John 3:3, Luke 17:21 ). I have met many others. He has brought fellow seekers along my path that we might rub elbows together, sharpen one another, challenge and encourage one another and grow in the grace and knowledge of Him. He has allowed those I call “Judas” friends to come into my life as well as bringing me into the company of more than a few Pharisees, to keep me leaning on Him alone. I have longed to Run to the Mountains with Mr. Merton as well as desired a House by The Sea like May Sarton. Or maybe A Life in the Woods far away from the adversities of community may be deemed quite nice after a few rounds in the real world like, the often quoted, Henry David Thoreau. But I have realized, though the path is narrow, I am called to community. Where He leads I must follow. The following part, well that has been the interesting thing. You see it has taken time to discern His leading from my own. Oh, so you think it is easy to follow when so often you find yourself in the lead? It seems I am often in positions of leadership, no matter how hard I try to avoid this role. But learning to follow is where the rubber meets the road. I have speedily gone down some roads let’s say,  that have left me squealing my wheels, doing a 360, peeling out, trying to avoid the pile-up I see ahead, but often which was unavoidable.  I have learned to listen before engaging “fuel injection”. Well, sometimes (see above italicised) – so I am still learning to wait for the flag and follow the Pace Car instead of speeding out in front. I tell you, it’s not easy. But it is safer and better for sure. Part of this struggle is the way I am created by Him. Part of it is the me, that needs to learn to YIELD continually to Him. But yielding is better than crashing, after all.

When you have eaten and are satisfied,

praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.

Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God,

failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees.

 ~ Deuteronomy 8:10

I  have been remembering back as I look in these journals… I see where I have forked in the road, veering in a direction he has not ordained. But even as I visited a Jesuit Monastery, God met me there. When I weekended at an Ashram, don’t be shocked, but the One, True, Living, God also met me there. As I  also lived, worked and enjoyed – for over ten years –  the community I fondly call and remember as “my little Jewish community” He most definitely met me there.  As a matter of fact for those who are worried about sending your children away to worldly, secular universities and colleges: Yup…I sat in Eastern Religion & Philosophy classes and Guess who was there? Gloriously, faithfully, wonderfully, powerfully-God was there.

Do you have loved ones who have have strayed far from the paths of love, grace and truth? Be encouraged, friends, because He is able to guide the paths of all He has created and He  has created all. He is able to meet them where they are. God is able. He met me where I was, and even allowed insight and important lessons into His character, as well as His beloved created beings. God loves His people. The Pharisees, The Judas’s, The Faithful and Unfaithful. God loves, my friends. It’s what He does. It’s who He is. Don’t fret. So, keep praying in your closet, and keep believing. Because Jesus Christ is forever on the throne. His Kingdom reigns. AMEN.

Once having been asked by the Pharisees

when the kingdom of God would come,

Jesus replied,

“The kingdom of God does not come

with your careful observation,

nor will people say

‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is, ‘

because the kingdom of God is within you.”

~Luke 17:20

For further contemplation: Jeremiah 29:13-14, Joel 2:25, Mark 12: 29-31, Jeremiah 31:31-34

Dawn

Also See:
Too Many Lives: The Journals (Part 2)
Too Many Lives I Have Lived (Part 1)