Nature Cries Out

All week long I've been planning on sharing what God put on my heart last weekend in the final moments of the leadership retreat. After the group had participated in a session on evaluating The Grove "On Purpose", then evaluating themselves, we were led in a session on personal brokenness. We then discussed the biblical dynamics of revival in a church. It was an exhausting day - we worshipped around the campfire, and then ended the day with a video by Louie Giglio on how big our creator God really is. Sunday morning was a time for personal reflection in which we all went out on our own to look at nature and listen to what God was saying to us.

The pictures attached and the following is what I want to share with you today:

"As I walked and talked with the Lord I found myself sitting under the overhang of a building that had seen better days. R4sting underneath was also a vintage Ford tractor with a makeshift trailer made of the pick up bed from a Dodge truck.

Only a stones throw away was a rusted up retired wood chipper - left among the weeds no longer useful except as a refuge for mice or the occasional bird perch.

A quick glance in the immediate area revealed an abandoned car - pick up cap, an old pull behind the tractor lawn mower, cinder blocks and other unrecognizable metal objects.

I immediately thought this was a good word picture for the body of Christ and even for me individually.

I sometimes feel like that old Ford tractor, I've got more rusty hinges every year - some because of the normal aging process - others because I'm not taking care of it as I should. Yes Lord, I'll pay better attention to this temple you've created so that I won't be forced to retire earl;y only to be useful as an Angus or Ruby perch.

The body is made up of Fords, Chevy's, Chrysler's and the occasional foreign model. We have all kinds of discarded things laying around our yards too - like relationships, dreams, passions, and God inspired vision.

Help me Lord to assist others in realizing their full potential - to reignite their passions - restore their relationships - fulfill their dreams and finish well.

In the quiet or at times, not so quiet woods, I once again am in touch with the one who created it all. The one who is so far away and yet so close. The one who can give me serenity in the midst of chaos. The one who can restore right relationships - undo past failures - correct my pride issues and use me, even me, rusted and at times wishing I could retire early.

May I be an oil can, grease gun, sand blaster, or polishing rag in your kingdom!"

Not sure who else this inspiration was meant for - pray it encourages someone else.

Stay tuned for more as we live Purpose Driven Lives!