Single Thread

I started out the new year away from home with a few friends from college out in June Lake.  I remember the first time I went with a similar group of people way back in 2003.  At that point in life, I was experiencing change and I knew God wanted to do something grand, but I was resistant to allow Him to take total control of my life.  My remaining time completing my undergrad work was met with a lot of friction—I wanted to control my destiny whereas God wanted me to do greater things.

Because I didn’t want to let go of control, there was a lot of pain in understanding what I were to do next.  It wasn’t until five years after graduating is when I realized I had completely let go and hit an all-time low in my life.  (It’s definitely wasn’t rock bottom when compared to other people’s life-changing experience, but it was definitely the lowest point in my own life.)  That was 2010.  It was an extremely hard year for me, but as I mentioned before, it could have ended a lot worst.  It was 2010 that I needed to reconcile my relationship with God.  I went back to prayer.  I rediscovered His Word.  I listened for His voice.  I devoted my life daily to discover His will for me.

With all that mind, I’m starting 2011 a bit differently.  I’m reminded I have friends who care.  I discovered despite my current job in the marketplace may not be ideal, I have the ability to share what it means to live as a Christian to over three dozen people.  I may not yet be in tuned to God’s voice, but I’m making a daily effort to understand His character in order to discern what it means to act, do, decide, and speak in Christ-likeness.

So far, this year is starting off far better than I could ever imagine.  I never thought I could be in a position like this over a year ago considering the pain and lost of direction I experienced.  So I thank Him.  Both good and suffering will be experienced this year, and whatever hard decisions and experiences I come across, God is always good.  God is always faithful. I will always put my trust in Him.  His love is all I need.

Below are a few photographs I pulled from my trip up to June Lake during the New Year’s weekend.  It was amazing to be in the middle of His creation and (mostly) step away from man’s doing (i.e. technology).  Though, at the same time, I did capture these photographs with Nikon’s latest DSLR. 

I may have mentioned it in the past, I don’t go out much and I’m not very active.  I keep telling myself I should really work out—running, weightlifting, mountain biking—something, anything.  This morning, I went hiking for the first time in 10 years.  I believe the last time I went hiking was the Haleakala Crater back on Maui.

I knew it wasn’t going to be easy hike.  Garcia Trail in Azusa is a short 1.2 mile hike.  The problem with these 1.2 miles is that it ascends 1100 feet in the process.  That steep elevation is what makes the hike challenging—especially if you’re from the out of shape crowd.  When I started the hike, I knew I was in bad shape when I already felt my heart racing in the first 100 ft (distance, not elevation).  At that point, I knew this was going to be a long morning.

I quickly breathed in the cool morning air.  It was pleasant at first, but the speed of inhaling created a burning sensation in my lungs.  My body didn’t know where the need for all this sudden energy came from.  My heart beat as fast as possible to pump fresh blood to my legs at the start of this hike.   I looked towards the top of the hill and pointed, “I’m going to make it to the top.”  I looked up to the sky and asked God to give me the strength to do this.  I know, it’s just a 1.2mi/1100ft hike/climb.  One could say I only needed the will power to do it.  My heart alone wasn’t conditioned to take on this task by itself.  No, instead, I prayed and asked him for the strength I need to conquer the hike to the top.  That was the plan.  Get to the top.  He reminded me that He will determine my steps (Proverbs 16:9).  He will be with me every step of the way.

Hikers of all ages and experiences passed me on the way up.  I was a bit discouraged at first.  Maybe it wasn’t worth seeing the top.  Maybe I should take it one small hike at a time—complete the plan in increments over the course of a week.  No.  I remained focused.  God kept taking me up one step at a time.  It took me close to an hour to climb the 1100 feet in 1.2 miles.  I didn’t care.  I got to the top.  I made it.

At the top of the hill was a white cross.  Behind the cross was a mailbox with a couple of notebooks and a Bible.  The notebooks was a log of people who made the climb.  There were prayer requests.  Some wrote stories about their hike to the top.  Some of them profess their love for one another.  Not all were Christian, but there were many that witness as one.   Even though the overcast hasn’t quite burned off for the day, it was still a sight to see overlooking the San Gabriel Valley from atop that hill.  I honestly believe that I, personally, could not have made that hike on my own.  God helped me step by step with such a simple plan; I should expect that kind of help in my grander plans in life.  God’s power is limitless.  That first hike is a reminder: He’s there with me every step of the way.

Do not let your hearts be troubled, Trust in God; trust also in me (John 14:1)

The following was originally written on May 23rd in a Moleskine I keep with me for taking notes.  Every once in awhile, I’ll write a stream of thought.  This piece has been duplicated on this post without alteration to the stream of thought.

Mark 6:25-34

I am told not to worry about the details of this world.  He says not to worry about tomorrow.  I should not need to worry about the food I need, the clothes over me, or whether or not I am provided shelter.

Abandon these things of the world—not personally, but quit searching for it. Seek God first, not these little details of the world.  God promises He will provide.

What’s really stopping me from walking in faith?  He is there by my side.  He pulls me forward in the direction I asked for.  He’s feeding me the knowledge I need to understand that this is what I need to do—where I am going—what worldly things I need to leave behind.

Despite my current worldly struggles and sins, I don’t feel Him abandoning me now nor forever.  He is implanted in me.  Trust Him.  Walk forward in faith.  He will provide every need.

This was my first step in trusting God.  The second step was to Job’s story.  In case you haven’t read Job, here’s the gist of it.  Job loved and feared the Lord and because of this he was blessed with a fruitful life.  God allowed the devil to take away anything and everything important to Job.  He didn’t understand why and cried out to the Lord why these horrible events has happened to him.  At that point the skies opened up and God reminded Job his awesomeness of God (beings in Job 38).  Don’t forget, God is and always is in control.

Once I realized I can authentically trust God that my life is clearly in His hands, I moved on to the next step: planning.  When I’m planning, do not ever forget to put God first.  If the Holy Spirit is truly moving in you, you can and will make every decision that crosses your path with the wisdom provided by God through the Holy Spirit.  You are still making the decisions (make no mistake that you will always have your free will), but the Holy Spirit will guide you appropriately.

To man belongs the plans of the heart,
but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue (Proverbs 16:1)

Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and your plans will succeed. (Proverbs 16:3)

In his heart a man plans his course,
but the Lord determines his steps. (Proverbs 16:9)

God’s will becomes yours.  Pray. Speak. Listen, carefully.