Last June we made the decision to move to Colorado. June and July were a blur of jettisoning stuff we didn’t need and repairing the house. The house sold in a month; we closed early September. We had to move twice to 2 different Airbnbs in Arizona due to availability. October 10 I left for Europe for a one-month ministry trip, poured out, Elijah-crashed at the end, and returned the third week of November. Had one day of rest, then drove my wife to Colorado so she could start her job here. Flew back to Arizona and moved my family to Colorado in a Uhaul. Flew back again and moved the office, around December 10. Breathing and LC were rough for the first few weeks in Colorado, plus, the holidays have their own brand of stress. Recent situations have pegged the stress meter to the top. Or maybe I was just burnt out.
This past Tuesday I left for a 3-night trip alone to Woodland Park (elev 8,400+) for time alone soaking in God’s presence, which included prayer, worship, immersion in His word, resting in silence, and walks in the mountains.
The Airbnb I stayed at was in a quiet, secluded place in the mountains, with plenty of deer, squirrels, and turkeys, which would come right up to the glass door of my room.
Tuesday night I did a debrief with God and unloaded everything from the past 6 months. Afterward my soul was lighter.
Wednesday afternoon, after more time in His presence in the morning, I visited prayer rock.
We moved to Arizona July of 2020. In the months prior my family and I were without a church. During that time we held church services at the rock you see in the picture above, which I christened “Prayer Rock.” Prayer Rock is next to a lake East of Woodland Park. We would sit on the rock, I would discuss a Bible verse, we’d share prayer requests, then pray together. This week one of my daughters told me she had fond memories of those Sunday church services on prayer rock. Our meetings were the Acts 2:42 version of church: God’s word, fellowship, prayer.
Last Wednesday I spent time on prayer rock and prayed. It was a blessing to visit our old church again.
During my time away God set the itinerary and led in specific ways. He refreshed my worn-out heart, spoke, healed, encouraged, strengthened, and gave me these verses:
“Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; Yes, our God is compassionate.”
Psalm 116:5
“Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.”
Psalm 116:7
“For His lovingkindness is great toward us.”
Psalm 117:2
“The Lord is light, and He has given us light.”
Psalm 118:27
I was immersed in His love, kindness, and grace for three days. The love He poured out was overwhelming at times. I have to confess that expressions of His love aren’t always something I expect. My default is to look for conviction, what I might have done wrong – which totally misses His heart. The Lord is overwhelmingly generous and takes pleasure in blessing those who love Him. Sure, there are many trials along the way, but even then our suffering can be a blessing if we see life through His eyes. When you read the Bible, look for God’s heart.
Then came the vision.
“For our citizenship is in Heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 3:20
As I turned this verse over in my mind, a brilliant picture of Heaven came alive in my spirit. It was as if God was showing me the entrance to Heaven. There was no gate, no door, just a place filled with beings that reflected His light and joy. Later I told Him He could take me whenever He wanted.
“This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your word has revived me.”
Psalm 119:50
Long time readers know that I’ve made days long prayer-binges in God’s presence alone a habit. Jesus modeled and encouraged us to go away alone with Him – often.
”And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.”
Mark 6:31
I’ve gone away many times to be alone with Him when I was burnt out, worn out, or my heart was dry and hard. Those binges in His presence are powerful, more than any church service or ministry event I’ve attended.
Most modern Christians won’t go away alone with the Lord because they’re too busy, Sunday church is enough, they think (it’s not), prayer isn’t a priority, or often, being alone in extended silence for three days and having to face their heart scares them. The days we’re living bleed the soul. Every believer desperately needs extended time alone with God, whether they realize it or not. Dabbling in God while soaking in the world and its pleasures won’t be enough as we move toward the end of the age and all the challenges coming with it.
There is more to the story of the last 3 days. The second night I had to deal with spiritual warfare and didn’t sleep well. There were other ways God came through and kept revealing Himself. One blessing after another.
Last night we had a snowstorm. The major freeway that runs through Colorado Springs was temporarily closed and many didn’t make it to work. The road up to the Airbnb is steep, and was snow and ice covered. This morning I made it down the hill without sliding off, then turned onto the highway that leads to the city and saw:
There were very few cars on the road.
Just like the Rogue Christian way of life. The Bible calls it the narrow road that leads to life that few will find.
