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The Long Walk 2010
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My Long Walk, God's Way: OBEDIENCE 2010
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I watched as people went on their Long Walks for two years. Last year I decided that come what may, I'd go. I was so excited about it, and planned to go to Nyack Beach, in Nyack, NY. I went to Nyack College, and had some lovely memories of having my quiet time there. I decided that I'd revisit the place for this Long Walk.
I took note when Brian said that his long walk never went according to plan, and so I decided to loosen my grip on what I wanted to do. Right before I fell asleep the night before, I asked God, "Where are we going tomorrow, Lord?" He said, "We're going to spend this Long Walk right here at home."
You can imagine my shock, and I must confess I was a little disappointed. I was looking forward to that lovely haven. However, I quickly surrendered my plans to Him, and asked Him, "Will I be distracted Lord? You know how busy this house gets... sometimes noisy... I'm always being called upon... Will I be distracted?" He promised me that there would be no distractions, and that we would indeed be alone together. :-) So promised, so delivered.
I started in the living room on my recliner, and I tell ya, God came down and filled the room with His awesome presence. He told me many things. He explained this year's trials, and stressed the importance of immediate OBEDIENCE as I continue to advance throughout this year. He explained His silence back in April and May. He told me that the silence meant to reveal the idols of my heart, my unbelief, and some of the habits that I have that are destructive to the ministry. He once again stressed obedience, and declared His everlasting love for me, and again promised never to leave nor forsake me. He knows how afraid I am that He would abandon me. I know that He would never... but sometimes, when He's silent, it gets scary. But now I know in my heart that He never really did leave and that His everlasting love is just that- everlasting.
I ended my Long Walk with this resolve:
Hold Thou Thy cross between us, blessed Lord
Let [me] love Thee. To [me] Thy power afford
To remain prostrate at Thy pierced feet
There is no other place here I may meet [Thee]
Set Thou [my] face as a flint of stone
To do thy will, [my] goal be this alone
O God, [my] heart is fixed
Let [me] no turn
Consume all [my] affections,
Let Thy love burn
-From Elisabeth Elliot's Passion & Purity
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Yoli-Ann 07/09/2010 11:33 |
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Calico
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07/09/2010 12:32 |
Wow, Yoli-Ann,
"...now I know in my heart that He never really did leave and that His everlasting love is just that - everlasting."
That's an affirmation of "faith unto faith," I believe. How wonderful - and all this from sitting in the recliner, no less. :-)
I pray you are encouraged to keep on in your efforts with the training for the Nouthetic counseling, sister. It's a way of serving Him from your deepest core, amen?
Blessings,
Tom
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jackoslife
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07/09/2010 17:15 |
Hey Yoli-Ann, that is one cool day and so productive with all of the learning from God. It really doesn't matter where we spend time with God does it? God can reach us in the highest heavens or the deepest of the oceans. We are never further than a cry from our wonderful Saviour.
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