Fresh Perspective from Nature of My Word of the Year
metolius-river-trees
It was something to look forward to for more than a month. I was going with three close friends on a retreat for a few days in the high desert of Oregon. Getting there and the arrival was more difficult than expected. After adjusting schedules and expectations, we arrived safely after dark and fell into bed. The next day offered beauty and solace along the beautiful Metolius River. I felt tired and spent after a difficult week. Walking with friends along the path by the river was a joyful relief. The weekend was over, and kids back in school, so the campsites were mostly empty welcoming the quiet of early autumn in the woods. I began to feel revived by the beauty of nature bringing its own kind of comfort and wisdom.
grass-growing-out-of-tree-metolius-river
The grasses growing out of a fallen tree in the water encouraged me not to give up. A while later, a revelation came unexpectedly. When we stopped to sit and rest on a large fallen log that reached halfway across the river, I realized the water was flowing in the opposite direction of how I thought it was flowing. I was surprised.
All year I have been considering the word flow (my word of the year). It has come to mean entering the flow of the Holy Spirit, seeking to rest in and move with the current of what God is doing. I paused and silently asked God if there was meaning for me in misjudging the direction of the flow of water.
The first thought that came was that time spent being close with God is of utmost importance right now. Walking along the edge of my faith is not enough. I am not to just rely on my thoughts, reasonings, and feelings to see the direction I need to go. For me to discern the flow of the Spirit, I need to stop and be still, seek God in my heart and the Bible in order to discern the flow of the movement of Holy Spirit. It does not require me to step out in faith as much as it is an invitation to stop and be still, in faith believing God is present, God loves me, and will reveal and provide what I need.
log-on-metolius-river