straight lines
I was with my hubby and oldest son on vacay in northern Michigan. We were kayaking the Victoria River. It’s such a twisty-turny kind of river, a surprise at every bend (we won’t even mention the horse flies). However, one of the male members of our little crew began complaining about the constant turns and how difficult it makes the navigation. Imagine how easy our journey would be if this river were a straight line.
easy is just easy
Straight line journeys are easy, but easy is boring. So predictable. So vanilla. You can see ahead forever and ever. No surprises. No thrills. So straight line, flat line. No heart required. Where is the faith?
I will open rivers in desolate heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys;
I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. Isaiah 41:18
We need a few twists and turns in our God journey. Challenges to keep us pushing and striving for more Jesus. Doesn’t every great adventure contain a few nail-biter moments when we aren’t sure if we’re to make it? I want to travel a few wide open rivers through desolate heights with God before He leads me to some still waters. The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, but I’ll take the wild ride. Yes, please.
wild spaces
Our vacay cottage is on the east end of Little Traverse Lake. Part of the lake is developed, sprinkled with cabins and cottages, but the east side is more remote with many wild spaces. Cedars, birches, and hemlocks line the rugged shoreline. These Eden-like wild spaces are teeming with wildlife. Otters gobbling crayfish and clams, Pileated Woodpeckers chiseling homes and niches, loons diving and calling. Life and growth flourish in the solitude of the wild space.
One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. Luke 6:12
we need some wild spaces
In our structured scheduled urban lives, we need some wild spaces. Wild spaces are chunks of time set aside to meet with God in a quiet place. Maybe your wild space is a secluded corner of a city park, a hideaway nook in your favorite cafe, or your porch swing on your backyard patio. The important thing is you meet with God daily. Bring your Bible, pen and journal and forget your phone. Be ready to meet with God and listen as He uses wild spaces to to challenge and deepen your walk with Him.
Where is your favorite wild space?
Leave me a comment below. I’d love to chat with you!
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Mary, this is really good writing. The road is often not easy, but worth it all. Your writing reminds me of that of novelists like Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, who wrote Cross Creek. Yes, we all need those wild spaces to meet with God in solitude. Great blog post!
Thank you, Beth! I appreciate your heartfelt comments! God is good! I am praying you meet with Him in the wild spaces!