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Saturday, January 21, 2017

Walk Slowly Down the Mountain

Time to head home. Today ends a restful week my soul so desperately needed...beyond what I would have ever thought. I am so grateful for a church that allows me to be nourished in such a way, and a family that "covers" for me interrupting their lives to love and care for my children.

God has been teaching, loving, and ministering to me so sweetly this week. Today, on my last walk of the week He summed it all up.

WALK SLOWLY DOWN THE MOUNTAIN


The hills here are tough. Climbing them on the walk back to the room makes the Thigh Master seem like a warm up activity. It is easy to walk slowly up the mountain isn't it? It demands that you lean into it, shorten your stride, and take your time. When life it really overwhelming, tragedy strikes, or struggles appear in relationships...we know to slow down, lean into them and walk carefully through.

But downhill, that's a different story. When I'm going downhill, everything about it calls me to speed up! Embrace the pace and get down in record time! I love racing for a record...especially when I was younger. Speed, Speed...who am I kidding, I still like it. But running downhill causes me to miss the beauty all around me. The views, the glory of the decent, the sounds and sights. It's also harder. It burns a little to walk slowly, it almost feels unnatural. Stopping and running...that feels natural, not going slowly. That's what God's calling me to though...and I want it.

My kids are both on the short side of calling the place we dwell home. I am wired to run through life, press on so hard that I hope they keep up and find joy in running as I do. I'm also tempted to STOP. Make my life revolve around them, trying to milk every moment beyond even God's design. Neither of those is what I am created to be as a dad. I'm called to lead, to love, to mold. If I'm running too fast I'm leaving them in the dust. If I stop walking them down God's path then I'm setting them up to think life is about them, not Christ. I don't want them to be left to the wolves, nor unintentionally become a wolf by not leading them, investing my love for Christ in them.

Nope, I've gotta walk slowly down the mountain...they'll want to run...but it's not up to them yet ;)
No, I want to point out God's beauty to them, work through he pains of the hill with them, help them to see beyond their feet, their speed...beyond themselves.

Walking slowly down the mountain isn't just for me as a dad. Nope, it's for me as a Christ lover, a wife lover, a friend, boss, leader, Pastor. Every area of life! God owns the record, not by His speed, but by His hand! This life, it's never been a race run by speed...nope, by pace! I'm running to win...and that's only going to happen if I slow down. Be intentional about my steps. Remember my calling is more than just enduring...its about delighting!

Walk Slowly Down the Mountian

(Please forgive any typos...there's no computer at the bottom of the mountain, so I had to use my phone)

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