Don't Squander the Wander!

Gripping the steering wheel, eyeballs glued to the scene revealed through the splotchy windshield, we were rolling onward into unfamiliar territory. Our road climbing ever higher in altitude, weaving around mountains and dipping down into little valleys, we passed the Continental Divide once, then twice, and I think even a third time. In one day. Fun, but staying in the high altitude, there was a predictability to the scenery, and the hills were just another roadside formation to get through.

The mountains were calling, and we went. And went. And went. Uphill both ways.

The next day we hit the road again, this time on our way to another climate and altitude. The big valley, on the other side of the peak, with all its lower altitude and oxygen, oh sweet oxygen, was waiting. It looks so breathy down there. Let’s go. But first, we had to climb even higher. This route would take us over a new “pass”.

Friend, if it says it’s a pass, it has to pass through something, or more likely over something. This would be your best bet to get to the other side of some otherwise un-drivable geological formation. Weee. Let’s do that!

Getting to lower ground meant we first had to pass over a mountain range on an “easy” road at 9600+ feet. Today was going to be an adventure.

The warning signs of steep grades and need for low gears gave a clue to the challenge, yet the snowcapped hills brought distraction and a sense that the only path forward was, well, forward. Reminding myself it was just a hill, and it was certainly traversable, the gas pedal under my foot did what it needed to do, and brought a wonderful chug to the engine as we peaked the mountain and saw the valley below.

That peak, that beautiful crest of the hill, changed everything. The beauty about did me in. Breathtaking.

I’ve never said wow so many times in one day in my life.

The landscape revealed was just sitting there, being a valley, but oh, how it overwhelmed our senses. The narrow path of hilltop ascent opened up to a vast horizon of colors, dramatic skyline, and complete beauty. The hours that followed brought an ever-changing glimpse into the creativity of God with snow and rugged mountain peaks blending into forests and smoother hilltops. Eventually we wove down into lasting valleys filled with red clay formations and painted hills, mesmerizing us with each mile. The diversity was overwhelming. As the hours flew past the windshield, we eventually reached prairies. And oxygen. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh.

All on the same road. All on the same day.

We found a road less traveled, and it was glorious. We would have missed it if we didn’t accept the challenge of the initial climb.

Sometimes in life there are just no words. Just silence. And an overwhelming sense of awe. Maybe a wow or an oh my escapes your lips in a powerful experience in life, but really, nothing can describe all the feels. Moments like these are filled with joy. Praise. Humility. A sense of who we aren’t in light of all who He is.

In Scripture, this awe is described by a little word that pops up throughout the Psalms.

Selah.

Selah. Stop and consider what the Lord has done.

See His handiwork. Acknowledge His majesty. Understand how much He not only loves you, but loves to be involved in the minutia of your daily life. Even when that minutia seems overwhelming, consuming, and about to take you out.

Selah.

Oh, that we would be a people who would not only seek out the Selah’s of life, but that we would stop and take it all in. Give it time to breathe in our space. Not miss a second. Or a mile. Or a moment. He created it all for us, so that we could glorify Him with our praise.

God longs for us to acknowledge Him in all His majesty. To take a minute, or hopefully a lifetime, to see all He is and is doing in our lives. To see our heart skip a beat and see us look up and say, look at what He has done! Only God!

Far too often we ramble through life with a different voice proclaiming a similar chain of words in our head. Except this other voice, equipped with shaking fingers, condemnation and shame, has no good for us at all. It has squinty eyes and whispers in a slithery voice, look what you’ve done! Just look! That finger wagging far too close to our eyeballs and emotions leave us missing any semblance of beauty in our midst as we hang our head, believing the lie of a destroyer who just wants us to sit down in defeat.

Why do we give space to the enemy who prances around celebrating our harm while we lose sight of the victory all around us?

Listening to the voice of the shaking finger leaves us stuck.

It’s like we are climbing that pass over the Continental Divide, and our foot is on the gas pedal, but something is lodged underneath the pedal, keeping our speed down and our effectiveness stuck. We keep pushing the pedal, but nothing but hesitation and lack of power is released. We nervously wait for the rev of the engine and the chunk of acceleration, but nothing happens.

We get stuck. Until we get unstuck.

The pass to unstuck is found when we tap into the power of the Holy Spirit, giving us the oomph and push we need to keep moving forward. Jesus paid this price for you, sweet friend. Nothing but the blood of Jesus and His resurrection power can break these chains off you, your brain space, and your past. And Jesus has promised a Helper, the Holy Spirit, who guides us to the truth of Jesus and all He has for us. God wants this for you!

God’s design and purpose for you is for you to be free from all the junk the world has talked you into. He is able to do it. Instantly. Today. Right now. Doesn’t take a couple years, or a secret handshake, or a pile of money. Put down your Jesus to-do list. Stop striving and trying to work your way into God’s favor.

That wagging finger is also the author of, if I just did ____, Jesus would love me better. It’s a lie. Jesus already loves you with His perfect love. Right now. In spite of your past. Today, just as you are.

Jesus says it takes your repentant heart, open and ready to seek the Lord in humility, accepting His truth, and following His lead, to bring the beauty of a resurrected life. This restoration will bring the sweetest Selah released from your lungs and whispered from your lips. He hasn’t made it difficult; the wagging fingers of humanity have done that.

No matter who put that voice in there, or how long you’ve listened to it, friend, its time to let that crap go.

You are perched at the crest of the hill, and God is opening up your view of a future filled with hope and healing. Yes, its overwhelming. In the best way possible. Take a deep breath, take it all in, and head on down into the sweet adventure of new things. Fill your lungs with the revival of the Lord.

Just turn, look up, and say Lord, I see all You have done. I see all You are doing. I see all You want for me. I am Yours, and will no longer sit in the camp of my enemies. You have given me freedom. You have given me a hope and a future. And, Lord Jesus, You see me as You have created me to be.

Selah indeed.