Arriving at a Quiet Place

“When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions”.

Big Bend National Park has incredible diversity. There is traditional desert, rugged mountains, river bottom and everything in between. The tallest place in the park is Mount Emory in the Chisos Mountains. Some hikers start out to climb the peak and decide the effort is too great.

I and friends recently hiked to the top of Mount Emory. The feeling of accomplishment was well worth the burning muscles and weakness from the exhilaration. Much like Matthew wrote of Jesus’ climb to the top, we the apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him.

Arriving at a quiet place, we sat down and communed with our Father. Wished you could have been there with us. There is so much to learn about the struggle of life. This passage so beautifully depicts the story of many who follow Jesus on the flat land, while few follow Him for instruction through the struggles of life.

Equally beautiful is the thought and experience of arriving at a quiet place with God on the other side of the struggle.

And God Showed Up….

A couple of ladies standing at the window opening trying to get just the right picture. It is a dangerous slick rock. They seem ignorant to the possibility of death. It makes me nervous to see their lack of caution. I’m thinking they have no thought of how their actions will impact others. Suppose one is on the brink of falling over the side. I will be obligated to put my life in danger to risk saving their lives. What right do they have risking my life? The ladies leave.

The rock is smooth. The path narrow. But regardless of risk or danger there is but one way. There are small pockets of water in the cracks in the rock on the path. For nourishment. Just like David said, ‘I love your Word. I will follow your law. I will walk your path. But God, show me the way.

Along the path are flowers, but also thorns. There are steps, seats and shade trees. The hikers keep coming. My heart is anxious for hikers at the window.

A father and young son approach the window. The father says, ‘No’. Aaron says, ‘I can get closer. I really want to’. The father lets him. I’m thinking why is the father ok with the risk? Has he not counted the cost? The whole family is ok with the child reaching out farther. People are laughing. Enjoying the view. Where is the caution? My stomach is sick with concern for the welfare of these people. Father, bring them out of harm’s way. Even without their knowing participation, Lord bring them out of harm’s way.

God, why would you allow me to take risks my entire life? Father, when I stepped out on the slippery slope where death was certain unless you intervened, why did you let me step out? Why not just stop me from taking the risk? Why not allow me to live a cautious life? And God says, ‘Wasn’t I always there?’ Yes, God. You were there.

Father, I know the pain from failure. The pain has changed my life. I feel fear for others who are on the slippery slope. I wonder if I am willing to risk anymore? I wonder if it is a good thing or bad to want to avoid risk?

A squirrel visited us at the window. It wasn’t very hot for a day in the desert, but the squirrel always went back to the shade. The Sparrow said, ‘Why take any more heat than is needed?’ Profound, as it relates to my risk aversion springing from the pain I’ve suffered from failing.

Possibly, God only wants one to risk enough in the sun to achieve His will and purpose? Then, it’s back to the shade for protection and replenishment. Might it be impossible to experience God’s abundance on one’s life without risk?

“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought.” James

Day Three – The Window Trail

We hiked the Window Trail on the third day of our hike. There was a special significance to this hike, because one of our EPIC Life Group members had previously made this hike a few years back. She was carrying the ashes of her loving husband. She would make it to the trail end and scatter his ashes at ‘The Window’. We wanted to pray blessings on our EPIC family member while here.

The Window is an absolutely beautiful area of Big Bend. The trail is hot and rocky, but the astounding view awaiting the hiker is breathtaking in many ways. It stuns you as you approach the window to see the sky directly in front of you. There is nothing between you and the ground below. It is just a vast openness of blue sky and a feeling of expectancy.

The rocks become slippery and uncharacteristically smooth as you get closer to the edge. Water from many years of flash floods have worn the floor and lower sides smooth. The window draws you to come closer. Just a little closer. That’s it. Just a little closer. As you gather your wits, you quickly realize if you are not careful you are about to come to a terrifying end.

The window was a destination for Spiritual contemplation. I was anxious to see and hear from God. The previous day’s beauty had authenticated God’s existence historically. I wanted disparately to see God at the window. It seemed somehow appropriate and reasonable that God might visit in a tangible way. They say the eye is the window to the soul.

Pastor Mike Sharrow led Uly, I and a squirrel in a communion of power bar and green tea. We chatted about what communion meant to each of us. How Jesus had chosen in His own free will to die specifically for each of us and the entire world. There was a remembrance of the incredible pain Jesus must have felt in total body, soul and spirit. He took it all on for us. Incredible.

God met me at ‘The Window’. Read the ‘And God Showed Up’ post and I think you will agree. It is straight from my heart. Maybe it will hit your heart as well…..

Big Bend pictures. Enjoy!

Big Bend pictures through Mike’s lens

Day Two – To the Top Emory Peak

We made it to the top of Emory Peak. It was a long tiring adventure, but well worth the effort. It may be the tallest peak in Texas. It certainly felt like it. We had time for Bible reading, prayer and just a feeling of closeness to the Father. Thank you friends and family for your support in prayers.

We climbed Emory Peak because that’s what you do. You see something bigger than you and you have to climb it. It’s been that way forever. I heard last week that there was a record set of 75 climbers that made it to the top of Mount Everest in a single day. Emory was our Everest for the day.

Mixed into our desire for conquering a mountain, was a desire to meet God there. The trek was tough up the mountain. I quickly realized at 54 years, I didn’t have the stamina I once had. Mike and Uly took the lead and we headed on up. Some are short distance sprinters. Some are long distance mules. I quickly figured out I am now a short distance mule. Mike and Uly was gracious to let me bring up the rear as we charged up the mountain.

We made it to the top! The view was incredible! It’s on this mountain top I hoped to see and hear from God in a very way. The magnificent creation of God screamed of the reality of Christ. Everywhere you turn, the rocks cry out, “I am”. It was in this setting, I sat down with pen, paper and Bible. I began writing in my journal with a new pen. I didn’t finish my first sentence and the pen quit writing. I was a bit frustrated. I had really looked forward to journaling.

I leaned back and the thought came to me. Be still and know that I am God. I figured I couldn’t go wrong with that, so I leaned back and took a nap.

Pictures

Day One – Boquillas Canyon

Thanks for following the Three Amigos to Big Bend country. We are in the basin of the Chisos Mountains writing in the dark looking out over God’s incredible handiwork. We are looking toward Emory Peak where we will be hiking tomorrow (Tuesday). So if you are in the area, stop on by and make the climb to 7,800 ft. I expect the view will be incredible and God will meet us there.

Sometimes you have to get away from the blindness of the ordinary in your life to regain perspective on how extraordinary creation is. God is…well…God.

He is the “I AM,” and there’s not much to be said beyond that. He is big, He is infinitely creative and He is choosing to meet us if we seek Him. How exciting is that! The rocks cry out His praises, so we can only hope to meet them in their choral. What is our agenda? To find a better glimpse of God’s agenda. That will be a success. Today was a great perspective setting day to prepare the stage for God to meet us as He wills this week.

Enjoy the pictures at the bottom of this post. God is everywhere. The land is so incredibly harsh and yet so beautiful. The contrasts are dramatic compared to anywhere else in the world and yet even within the Big Bend country there exist a limitless variety and contrast in an of itself.

Trail pictures….

Upcoming Big Bend Spiritual Retreat

I am excited to share with my friends and family an upcoming trip to Big Bend National Park. I plan on journaling my 4 day adventure in this blog site. I hope to use an AT&T air card to post each days adventure. I plan on having plenty of pictures and adventure.

I am a little anxious, because I have hiked Big Bend a number of times. Every time I have gone to Big Bend God has met me there. I expect to meet Him there this time as well. The anxious moment comes from having been lost there and in a previous life threatening situation. I plan on blogging that adventure as well, as best I remember.

‘The Three Amigos’ will leave San Antonio, Monday morning at day break and the adventure will begin. Keep watch at this site to track our adventure and ‘God Spots’. I am confident you will not be disappointed.

Pray for us and encourage God’s presence in our and your lives.

Archie