Maps

I feel like between the ages of 24 and 27 there is this stereotypical understanding or thought process that all the sudden we feel like we are passing our prime and that we should have had an established lifestyle by now. That I should have everything figured out and be stable with almost being 30. You look at those who are older than you and who were the age you are now and you wonder why you don't seem to have it as together as you thought they did when you were younger and they were older... The truth is that perhaps you have it more together than those who you thought had it together back when you thought they had it together.

Did I just confuse you terribly? If I haven't well at least someones following because I am so completely lost in who America and this culture wants me to be sometimes that I can't even handle looking in the mirror some mornings. And with that, I'm still lost. I'm still worried and I feel like no matter what I do I just can't get ahead. I just can't seem to bring things full circle or have 100% confidence in something when I should have complete faith in my God. How could I doubt knowing someone who knows the very map system of my veins and what makes me move?

There is still so much to learn and I am overwhelmed by His majesty and also by my failures. Our plans are minuscule and dull compared to what He has planned so why can't we just let go and follow the best way we know how. Moving and learning in the now? Instead of worrying what we don't know about...

So what now?

Landslide

I sit on this cliff side. This secret place of meaning. These physical places that bring back such fond reminders of Gods blessings in the seasons that have passed. We call then rare. Yet I am finding these blessings more common as I open my eyes to focus on where God has brought me. I sit on this cliff side looking out at a view that doesn't get old. Instead, the arms of creation swallow me up bringing my full attention to my glorious God. As I walked the path, I notice the differences and the continued life cycle of this forest. How even with living things all around, there is still death that takes place in order for life and growth to continue.

I have had many awakenings here. I have had many break downs. Pleading and rejoicing with Him in this place. This place was once someone elses place and perhaps it is a place to others. And there will be others after me. For now, it is nice to be in this moment and know that today, God called me out here. To the familiar disconnection from what this world is to the truths of His loud presence on mountain tops. It is just the same in the valleys below.

Simple things of wonder strike me. "Why trees in these spots and not in those spots? Why those three trees be the tallest and no one else? Why am I looking at these things and what am I gaining from it?" He helps us by giving the water that flows to nourish and erode away the parts that aren't necessary and needing disposal. Creating weaknesses in our foundations, we fall as we slide to a stop at the base of it all... The beginning, The Creator. The process continues as the foundation becomes stronger causing the forms of us to change. And paths to climb become more distinct.

Naturally we are surprised by recognizing the changes we see. Yet realize that the changes are constant. Creating both new and reminding of old lessons. Putting into practice what we have learned.

"All things will change.
We wait for the rain
And His promise remains".

Why is it that there are seasons in our lives where we feel more wise and understanding of what God is teaching us while in other seasons we struggle to remember and live by the things we have learned and preached to others?