Now that we have an idea where we are on this path, we have a “jumping off point.” When the pioneers came across the Oregon Trail they had a meeting spot where the wagon trains met together to prepare for their journey across the mostly uncharted wilderness to reach their western destination. In like manner, we now have a place where we can meet Jesus and prepare for our journey to the high places of the Spirit. Each person’s road will be specific to their needs, their maturity in Spirit and their personal “jumping off point” in Jesus. I won’t presume to tell you where or how to begin, only Jesus can tell you this. Spending concentrated time in prayer for your jumping off point would be a good idea as we begin our journey. So record your thoughts and prayers in your journal, and below in the comments, as I start sharing with you the things I have studied in His Word that has led me along the pathway to the higher ground.
Let’s Get Started!
Lord I, ___________________, ask that you show me a picture of the beginning of my journey to the heights. What does my Jumping off point look like to you?
I give this journey into Your keeping. I know that together we will climb the mountain passes to the higher ground you are calling me to. Thank You for the desire to follow You into the Heights. Amen.
As we begin this trip, I am recalling a verse in Psalms 18:33 NIV:
“He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights.”
Jesus enables us to stand firmly on the higher ground by changing our “feet” to something better able to stand on the slopes and among the rocky crags we will encounter on the journey, i.e. “the feet of a deer.” As our Good Shepherd, Jesus jumps up and down the slopes constantly so His feet are accustomed to the heights, but ours are not. Thus our need for Him to transform them as the Psalmist has stated that He does.
Our feet are our “sure foundation” in Jesus and His word. II Tim 2:15 says: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” It is by our learning the word of God and hiding it in our hearts that we strengthen our foundation and have our feet changed into the “feet of a deer” and can mount the high places with Him with ease.
I know many of us do not have our “feet of a deer” yet, not to worry, as we begin our travel our “feet” will strengthen and become our sure foundation as we ascend to the heights with Jesus.
The start of our ascent should be to strive for Purity: a desiring for the Heights and for becoming P.E.A.R.L.S. All of the aspects and responsibilities of being P.E.A.R.L.S. will be discussed in great detail in our next section. But I would like for us to reflect on what we think Purity would look like to Jesus as well as what we think purity should look like in us.
Reflections:
· What does purity look like to you?
· What do you think purity looks like to Jesus?
· Are you willing to allow Him to make you a woman of purity?
Now, let Jesus start this transformation in you. Give it all to Him. I have started writing a prayer here that you should copy and complete in your journal.
Dear Lord:
No comments:
Post a Comment