HomeWord - Sept. 11, 2007
On a Journey toward the Master
This devotional was written by Leslie Snyder
One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. Psalm 27:4
It was a common practice of the early Christians to journey on a pilgrimage to hear from God. They would say goodbye to their families, pick up their bags and set off on foot to a land faraway. Along the way, the traveler would pass through villages where townspeople, recognizing the purpose of the traveler, may give him a place to rest, a cup of water, or some bread to take along his journey. It was not solely a physical journey, but rather a personal pilgrimage of the soul.
In the same spirit, a small group of teens and adult leaders recently gathered in the early morning hours, piled into a van and headed for the Rocky Mountains. Armed with backpacks, water bottles, Bibles, journals, and hiking shoes, the group departed in technological silence. No cell phones, no iPods, no GameBoys, no headsets, no CD or DVD players. No distractions and high expectations.
As the leader of this group, I had to ask myself some frightening questions: “Will the group get along?” “How long until they start complaining about the lack of contact from the outside world?” “Can they all make it?” After all, we were attempting nearly 25-30 miles of mountain hiking, which begins nearly 4,000 feet above our Midwestern altitude and would ascend up to 8,000 feet higher. “Will we achieve our goal of hearing from God?” “What if God is silent?” After all, some of these kids really need to hear from God. “Can I really depend on Him?”
Scripture provided the answer for these questions. “Call to me and I will answer you with great and mighty things that you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3. “Search me and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts; see if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24. “You will find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13.
As our group wrapped up the trip, it had been a long and tiring physical journey, but one well worth it, as we had a wonderful, soul-renewing time of connection with God! Do you need to hear from God? He’s as close as His Word. Maybe it takes leaving the comforts of home, wearing yourself out, getting dirt under your fingernails, bruises on your legs and blisters on your feet. Maybe it takes unplugging from all of the outside noise that invades our day. Maybe it means searching for God until you hear from Him. Whatever it takes, seek Him! The rewards are worth it.
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GOING DEEPER:
What do you need to do today to rid the noise that keeps you from hearing from God?
FURTHER READING:
Jeremiah 29:11-14, 33:3; Psalm 139
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