"I took the road less traveled by and that made all the difference."
This quote is famous. Do you remember who said this? (Robert Frost,1874-1963; from his poem "The Road Not Taken")
I first remember reading this quote/poem years ago, as a preteen in junior high school.
It has always been one of my most favorites!
Why?
Because I like traveling the roads that are less popular. I like being different. I like going out of my way when on vacation or out for a walk. I like the areas where most people don't congregate. Especially when I am up in the Adirondack Mountains. Those mountains cover alot of territory. The Adirondack Park is made up of 6 1/2 million acres, much of it undeveloped and some of it still not explored. Much of the undeveloped parts are the parts I prefer to hike in. I am fortunate that I live only about 45 minutes south of the actual Adirondack Park.
WHY?
Because that is where I connect with God. I am a person who prefers to "worship", "commune", "talk" with God when I am out in His creation. Nature.
And I just realized this past summer that that is really ok.
I didn't read it in a book. I didn't hear it from the pulpit. It is just something that God showed me in a clear way. He has been trying to tell me this for several years now but I always thought "devotions" should be this time of reading the Word, studying the Word, praying, meditating, writing in a journal and reading devotional/study books. Or following a devotional guide like "read through the Bible in one year". Where did I get this idea?
From well-meaning Christians. From my parents. From youth group leaders. From the Christian college I attended. I was raised in a church that preached the gospel. I saw my father sit at his desk every morning, reading his Bible before leaving for his factory job. What a fond memory. I am so proud to be able to say my daddy read from the Bible every a.m. while I was growing up and I could be a witness to that. (Now my own hubby does the same thing for his daughters to see.)
I was a part of Christian Youth Crusaders (similar to Awana). I memorized the most Bible verses in my class and read the most Christian books. I won prizes! And I hadn't even accepted Jesus into my heart, in a personal way, yet! Yeah, you could say I did all the "right" Christian things.
From the time I was saved (accepted Jesus into my heart at age 15), I was told to read my Bible every day and pray. Start with a verse, work up to a chapter. Seriously, this is what I was told. I just figured this was the "right" way. Even as an adult, the other Christians around me were in the Word daily, praying, leading Bible studies, journaling, etc. So I did too. I've led women's Bible Studies. I've set aside time to read the Word daily. I've talked with women who do this first thing in the a.m. I've often felt guilty because quite frankly, first thing in the a.m?
Know what I do?
Grab a cup of coffee! "Doing devotions" is not something I jump right out of bed to do. Yet, I always felt like this was supposed to be the way to live as a Christian.
So....I would make that coffee, sit with my Bible and "do my devotions". Sometimes I gleaned quite a bit from this time (usually the times I was a full time stay-at-home mom and not rushing off to teach!). In our early years of marriage, before children, I'd read a chapter or 2 out of habit, (because it was "expected") every a.m. before leaving for work. I didn't get that much out of those times though. When my children started school and I was teaching just part time I found that "doing devotions" in the afternoons before they arrived home was a bit better. Why was that? Because usually I was on my deck doing them or at least sitting in the warm winter sun with quiet background music on.
But again, I was doing them because it was something I felt I "had" to do, not something I looked forward to with complete joy. Yes, I wanted to know my Savior more....but...did that always have to entail sitting and wondering just what to read?
And you know what?
It became very mundane and meaningless to me. It became a rote habit.
And I had trouble hearing my Lord. How come I could not get anything profound out of my time?
Upon transitioning to our current church (Grace Fellowship) we discovered that our pastor has whole portions of the Bible memorized!! Yes, he does. He literally, at times during his sermon, will recite the Scriptures he is using, from memory. As in whole chapters. Yikes...."there is no way I can meet these expectations" I told my husband after taking the membership classes and learning that Scripture memorization is expected at GF. (note: our leadership does NOT pressure us to do this. It is just a discipline that is highly encouraged. I am definitely for this. My youngest joined Awana our first 2 years and learned tons of Scriptures and they have stuck with her. I am also being challenged to "hide the Word in my heart" more. It is easy for Dave....much harder for me. It is expected that as members we will be applying this discipline).
I put the guilt on my self. I panicked. Oh no, I thought. Do I remember any of those verses I learned at age 10? (yes, I do, it just takes me longer to recall them!).
My point here: I was putting other people's ideas of "devotions" in place of how God connects with me best. I just am not a "sit and do my devotions" type of gal.
Over the summer the Lord showed me that I can connect with Him in my daily wanderings. On my actual, real-life journey. Like when watching my children play or interact with each other. When listening to classical music. When just sitting at my piano (a very rare occurrence!) and just letting music flow out of me.
When gazing into the eyes of a special needs student I am trying to teach letters and numbers to. When silently praying for that student.
When hiking in my beloved mountains. When gazing at the sunset over a lake.
When looking at the constellations with my husband, out in the wilderness.
This is how I "do devos". My absolute favorite way to "do devotions" is bringing my Bible with me on a walk around whatever campground we are staying at and sitting by whichever lake or stream we are near,and reading, meditating and listening to that still, inner Voice speak to me. Or just hiking on an autumn day along an abandoned road (pictured above) and listening to the natural sounds around me. Gazing at the things He has created for us to enjoy.
I connect with my Creator while sniffing the scent of balsam. It actually brings me deep, inner peace. Walking in silent woods has sometimes allowed me to really hear God's voice speak to my heart. It is where I can talk to Him and not be interrupted.
The woods or lake setting is where I can see God's Handprint on my life and my family's lives.
He created all this for us! We can enjoy it and commune with Him there.
God showed me this summer that I can deepen my relationship with Him by enjoying what He has created for me.
Yes, I still need to read His Word...it is our guidebook for life!
But, my soul is more free now to do it in the great outdoors than ever before. I have learned that it is not "wrong". Devotions, quiet times, meditations, whatever word you want to use for connecting with God, is different for so many people. He showed me that it is not a formula to follow.
I cannot get to the mountains every day, especially during the school year.
But...I can spend time outdoors every day and I do by power-walking or biking in my neighborhood or in a local park on the weekends. During the winter, it is more challenging as I am not an outdoors person in those months. But I persevere through the winter months by applying other ways to connect with God and that brings me to a deeper place with Him. I plan on journaling some of the ways I connect with Him during this winter coming up. I'm looking forward to seeing what He will teach me in the process. Do I still need to read my Bible??
Yes! We need to be in the Word. We need to pray/intercede. Sometimes we need to write our thoughts down on paper. But...we also need to have freedom to be our selves. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. We are all unique and have different ways of learning. Since that is true, then we all have different ways of connecting with our Lord.
Do you know how you feel most connected to God, and when?
Challenge your self.
Central Adirondacks
For more reading on this topic, head over to Today's Christian Woman website. There is an article in the latest issue, written by Nancy Ortberg about this very topic. Talk about confirmation from the Lord...I was so excited when my issue came last week and I discovered that this lined up with what I've been pondering all summer! God is GOOD!
This quote is famous. Do you remember who said this? (Robert Frost,1874-1963; from his poem "The Road Not Taken")
I first remember reading this quote/poem years ago, as a preteen in junior high school.
It has always been one of my most favorites!
Why?
Because I like traveling the roads that are less popular. I like being different. I like going out of my way when on vacation or out for a walk. I like the areas where most people don't congregate. Especially when I am up in the Adirondack Mountains. Those mountains cover alot of territory. The Adirondack Park is made up of 6 1/2 million acres, much of it undeveloped and some of it still not explored. Much of the undeveloped parts are the parts I prefer to hike in. I am fortunate that I live only about 45 minutes south of the actual Adirondack Park.
WHY?
Because that is where I connect with God. I am a person who prefers to "worship", "commune", "talk" with God when I am out in His creation. Nature.
And I just realized this past summer that that is really ok.
I didn't read it in a book. I didn't hear it from the pulpit. It is just something that God showed me in a clear way. He has been trying to tell me this for several years now but I always thought "devotions" should be this time of reading the Word, studying the Word, praying, meditating, writing in a journal and reading devotional/study books. Or following a devotional guide like "read through the Bible in one year". Where did I get this idea?
From well-meaning Christians. From my parents. From youth group leaders. From the Christian college I attended. I was raised in a church that preached the gospel. I saw my father sit at his desk every morning, reading his Bible before leaving for his factory job. What a fond memory. I am so proud to be able to say my daddy read from the Bible every a.m. while I was growing up and I could be a witness to that. (Now my own hubby does the same thing for his daughters to see.)
I was a part of Christian Youth Crusaders (similar to Awana). I memorized the most Bible verses in my class and read the most Christian books. I won prizes! And I hadn't even accepted Jesus into my heart, in a personal way, yet! Yeah, you could say I did all the "right" Christian things.
From the time I was saved (accepted Jesus into my heart at age 15), I was told to read my Bible every day and pray. Start with a verse, work up to a chapter. Seriously, this is what I was told. I just figured this was the "right" way. Even as an adult, the other Christians around me were in the Word daily, praying, leading Bible studies, journaling, etc. So I did too. I've led women's Bible Studies. I've set aside time to read the Word daily. I've talked with women who do this first thing in the a.m. I've often felt guilty because quite frankly, first thing in the a.m?
Know what I do?
Grab a cup of coffee! "Doing devotions" is not something I jump right out of bed to do. Yet, I always felt like this was supposed to be the way to live as a Christian.
So....I would make that coffee, sit with my Bible and "do my devotions". Sometimes I gleaned quite a bit from this time (usually the times I was a full time stay-at-home mom and not rushing off to teach!). In our early years of marriage, before children, I'd read a chapter or 2 out of habit, (because it was "expected") every a.m. before leaving for work. I didn't get that much out of those times though. When my children started school and I was teaching just part time I found that "doing devotions" in the afternoons before they arrived home was a bit better. Why was that? Because usually I was on my deck doing them or at least sitting in the warm winter sun with quiet background music on.
But again, I was doing them because it was something I felt I "had" to do, not something I looked forward to with complete joy. Yes, I wanted to know my Savior more....but...did that always have to entail sitting and wondering just what to read?
And you know what?
It became very mundane and meaningless to me. It became a rote habit.
And I had trouble hearing my Lord. How come I could not get anything profound out of my time?
Upon transitioning to our current church (Grace Fellowship) we discovered that our pastor has whole portions of the Bible memorized!! Yes, he does. He literally, at times during his sermon, will recite the Scriptures he is using, from memory. As in whole chapters. Yikes...."there is no way I can meet these expectations" I told my husband after taking the membership classes and learning that Scripture memorization is expected at GF. (note: our leadership does NOT pressure us to do this. It is just a discipline that is highly encouraged. I am definitely for this. My youngest joined Awana our first 2 years and learned tons of Scriptures and they have stuck with her. I am also being challenged to "hide the Word in my heart" more. It is easy for Dave....much harder for me. It is expected that as members we will be applying this discipline).
I put the guilt on my self. I panicked. Oh no, I thought. Do I remember any of those verses I learned at age 10? (yes, I do, it just takes me longer to recall them!).
My point here: I was putting other people's ideas of "devotions" in place of how God connects with me best. I just am not a "sit and do my devotions" type of gal.
Over the summer the Lord showed me that I can connect with Him in my daily wanderings. On my actual, real-life journey. Like when watching my children play or interact with each other. When listening to classical music. When just sitting at my piano (a very rare occurrence!) and just letting music flow out of me.
When gazing into the eyes of a special needs student I am trying to teach letters and numbers to. When silently praying for that student.
When hiking in my beloved mountains. When gazing at the sunset over a lake.
When looking at the constellations with my husband, out in the wilderness.
This is how I "do devos". My absolute favorite way to "do devotions" is bringing my Bible with me on a walk around whatever campground we are staying at and sitting by whichever lake or stream we are near,and reading, meditating and listening to that still, inner Voice speak to me. Or just hiking on an autumn day along an abandoned road (pictured above) and listening to the natural sounds around me. Gazing at the things He has created for us to enjoy.
I connect with my Creator while sniffing the scent of balsam. It actually brings me deep, inner peace. Walking in silent woods has sometimes allowed me to really hear God's voice speak to my heart. It is where I can talk to Him and not be interrupted.
The woods or lake setting is where I can see God's Handprint on my life and my family's lives.
He created all this for us! We can enjoy it and commune with Him there.
God showed me this summer that I can deepen my relationship with Him by enjoying what He has created for me.
Yes, I still need to read His Word...it is our guidebook for life!
But, my soul is more free now to do it in the great outdoors than ever before. I have learned that it is not "wrong". Devotions, quiet times, meditations, whatever word you want to use for connecting with God, is different for so many people. He showed me that it is not a formula to follow.
I cannot get to the mountains every day, especially during the school year.
But...I can spend time outdoors every day and I do by power-walking or biking in my neighborhood or in a local park on the weekends. During the winter, it is more challenging as I am not an outdoors person in those months. But I persevere through the winter months by applying other ways to connect with God and that brings me to a deeper place with Him. I plan on journaling some of the ways I connect with Him during this winter coming up. I'm looking forward to seeing what He will teach me in the process. Do I still need to read my Bible??
Yes! We need to be in the Word. We need to pray/intercede. Sometimes we need to write our thoughts down on paper. But...we also need to have freedom to be our selves. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. We are all unique and have different ways of learning. Since that is true, then we all have different ways of connecting with our Lord.
Do you know how you feel most connected to God, and when?
Challenge your self.
If you are in a rut with your "daily devos" try something new. What sparks your interest? What are you most passionate about?
I am betting that in that area, you will find God and connect deeply with Him again.
Blue Mountain Lake,I am betting that in that area, you will find God and connect deeply with Him again.
Central Adirondacks
For more reading on this topic, head over to Today's Christian Woman website. There is an article in the latest issue, written by Nancy Ortberg about this very topic. Talk about confirmation from the Lord...I was so excited when my issue came last week and I discovered that this lined up with what I've been pondering all summer! God is GOOD!
5 comments:
Faith are you sure you're not my long lost twin? I could have wrote this exact post. Well except you're by the Adirondacks and I'm by the Rocky Mountains. LOL.
Susanne: I've always wanted to see the Rocky's. Hopefully someday we will! We have tentative plans to visit Glacier National Park...we just need to save for that trip! Might be a couple more years!Thanks for stopping by!
Yes Faith this is me also! One of my most meaningful times with the Lord recently was while I was power walking at dusk at our local track. It was a beautiful night. You post reminded me not to feel bad about not sitting down to do my devotions all the time, those times outside are so precious!!
Great post!!!!!!!!
I'm glad you're feeling a new freedom in your personal devotions. It's SO good to just be ourselves before God.
I feel closer to Him out in nature too... However, I seem enjoy the study and "intellectual" side of my personal worship as well. :~D
Awesome thoughts, I agree. I find myself upset with myself when my purse Bible is not with me when I have to wait in the car for my husband somewhere. I love reading it in those quiet times. When my kids have been grown, so much more time to enjoy God's words in quietness, I love it. It is an all day relationship anymore. I too am bad at memorization, but am so thankful when His words come to my mind when I need them. It is the doing of the Holy Spirit, our Helper! He is incredible in how He helps us to glorify God's Son, Jesus Christ at the right times. I love thinking on scriptures while out in wilderness too! My husband grew up in a missionary home and much of what I read about your life was his. He too said his devotions grew mundane. I am glad that you are worshiping God in his creation. Blessings to you Faith!
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