When I think about my time here at Horn Creek, I would describe it in one word as “busy”. From working, to playing, worshiping, hanging
out, driving to civilization, shopping, working out (ok not very much, but
some!), keeping in touch with friends/family, hiking, sleeping (some) and
pretty much everything in between there isn't much time to just rest. Two weeks ago we had a sermon on
pausing. Immediately I thought of the
word “selah”. There are a few different
speculations to the meaning of this word.
My conclusion is a three part definition. Pause, ponder, praise. In the Psalms selah is seen many times. If
we were to pause, ponder and praise every time that word was placed in a Psalm,
I think they would become much richer.
Life is no different.
If I were to pause, ponder and praise after each word of encouragement I
received, each Bible study lesson I heard, each time I read my Bible, prayed
etc. my life would probably be much richer as well. I want to get better at this throughout my
busy days here in Colorado. There is so
much to do here. Over the past couple of
weeks, we have hosted several groups, hiked for about 11 hours up and down Humboldt
Peak, drove to Colorado Springs (twice), went thrifting, spent 2 hours picking
out snowboarding gear, cooked for and participated in a pot luck, belayed people up the rock wall, went to
church, did laundry, helped cook and eat a family dinner with the girls, went
grocery shopping, got coffee, worked/served/cleaned (a ton), read, uploaded pictures
and I’m sure much, much more happened throughout this two week period. But, I couldn't count how many times I
paused, pondered and praised.
We thankfully are able to attend church on Sundays, but
because of our work duties we don’t have time to linger at church, but instead hustle
back to camp to serve the guests. When I
read at night, I’m usually so exhausted and fall asleep before I have time to
practice Selah. When I read in the morning, I usually hit
snooze too many times so before I am able to pause, I’m on the move again. I have many excuses for why I don’t have time
to pause, ponder and praise. I doubt God
really believes any of them.
I get this question often.
“How is Colorado?”. The truth is
that it is busy. It is hard. It is fun.
It is challenging. It is rewarding. It is just starting. I know I have so much to learn and grow in
over these next 11 months or so. I want
to be challenged, I want to be changed from the inside out, I want to be able
to tell those who ask what I am learning.
But I also want to be truthful when I do. So, yes I have been having a blast. But, I have also felt like I am kind of
moving backwards in my walk with the Lord.
Though necessary, it is not always fun.
But I believe in God’s faithfulness.
I believe in God’s sovereignty. I
believe in God’s unceasing love for me.
I see proof of a living God each day in the people and places that
surround me. I just pray that I can
begin to pause, ponder and praise more and more each day at the unending mercy,
love, grace, joy and blessings that are poured out on me simply because I am a
child of God.
2 Timothy 1:12 -- That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed. Because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.
What do I need to trust God with today?
