Melissa C. Pointer
Examples God has given us parables, analogies, and other examples to increase our understanding Even still it takes the Holy Spirit to open our mind so that we can clearly see For others this moment can occur quietly and others may need a physical sign
Myself I started as a person that has an objective mind I needed to see, hear, touch, smell or taste Which is why I gravitated towards science
But I had to have an experience To clarify my understanding and to begin my connection that would cement my link to God
In my life Sometimes I see something and then I can relate it spiritually For example when I learned about human anatomy and physiology I was floored by the magnificence of God
Because I work in a garden I now understand the parable of the sower and the seed on a new level
On Vacation I was astounded by the beauty of what was created on the 3rd day
Napali Coast I began to understand the straits and the narrow way In a clearer form
Napali Coast Trail This is a 11 mile trail one way Has one of the top strenuous ratings It educated me about the things God has given so that we need to walk the strait and narrow way
Proper foot gear The use of a staff (walking stick) Water Persistence and Endurance Compass
What is a strait It is a place of distress, perplexity, restriction, and difficulty The way to salvation has straits in it Think of it as places that the footing can be tricky
Our Wisdom vs True Wisdom
Did we come with the right gear? Napali taught me that your feet have to be protected In order for me to make it from the trail head to mile 7 My feet had to be functioning Flipflops were not acceptable and would lead to injury
Walking in the Straits Spiritually we need to have the best gear in order to walk ina the strait and narrow Having the spiritual flipflops could lead to injury or death
Straits God told us that our feet needed to be shod (to wear protective covering for the feet) With the preparation of the gospel of peace The gospel is glad tidings of salvation Adhering to the Word of God will help us with that tricking footing and keep us from slipping and falling to our deaths
Strait and narrow This Journey wears not only on your feet but your knees, heart, lungs, eyes and mind All are needed for survival I realized quickly that I had to focus on the task at hand Each step mattered The moment I was distracted I would trip on a rock or a root
Distractions There are so many distractions to take away your focus We have to remember that any time that this road can transform from
Yes it looks pretty but those rocks are very sharp It can shred poorly made shoes easily And the skin on our hands, face, arms, knees are no match for it!
The Staff I learned from a previous experience in the Smokies that walking sticks are necessary The staff is a symbol of Christ A good walking stick will support your weight and keep you upright It will help you stay balanced in precarious situations and stabilize you when you are walking down hill It will also enable you to walk up hill without exhausting yourself A bad staff will give out when you need it most !
The Staff When we lean upon God…he does not give out He will support us in a way that nothing else can He will help move up the steepest incline and we will still be able to stay up right We be able to descend without falling to our deaths
Weather Issues The sun itself can exhaust you on your travels Trust me it does!!
Its like a cruel affliction or burden that takes so much out of you that it is difficult to move
Weather Issues/Afflictions
You begin to think thoughts you would never think of before Like stealing someone’s water I really need to pay my bills (should I work on the Sabbath??)
You feel capable of doing things you would never do before Like drink water from strangers (I’ll travel 200 miles to work in a small town in the middle of no where in inclement weather to pay my bills)
The test Will you steal water or will you humbly ask for water Will you let your fear lead you and you break the Sabbath or will you let God lead you??
Giving up/giving out The trek may seem so enormous or precarious at times
Persistence How can you keep going? You have to remember your goal (the Promise of God) This is not the time for doubt (doubt can kill) Take it one step at a time God may come in 3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months, 3 years, 30 years We have to keep walking and knowing each step takes us closer to him
The journey I was floored at how much my body could endure How much ground my feet could travel I was astounded by what I saw
I think about some of the things I’ve gone through in life It is still hard to believe what I was able to get through and not break into little pieces Things that changed me and will help be the person God the Father intended me to be I am not alone…everyone has experience that seems unbelievable
God made the way We didn’t do it by our might Brilliance, talent or luck God was with us He was our staff, rock
He’s the reason We didn’t fall off We weren’t swept away by the quick moving stream We didn’t go insane when the sun beamed upon us Fear could not make us its prisoner We could do all things in Jesus who strengthen us
If we just Trust in the Lord Do what he tells us to do when he tells us to do it Arm ourselves and feed on his word as he commanded Even when we are bruised (for he said our feet would be bruised) We will still be able to walk through that narrow gate Receive a crown of life