I have been feeling the rails beneath me for a while. For me, there is this sense of purpose that stirs up inside. At first I don’t usually see what God is doing. In fact I may even have a little angst that He is beginning to move me. But slowly the picture begins to clear and I realize I am moving forward – both away from something and yet toward something even greater. We are not always moving away from something bad, but we ought to be headed toward the next level. “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2Cor. 3:18)
So my journey is beginning – again. God has taken me on many of these expeditions over my lifetime. My favorite travels have been the ones where the horizon was all that I could see. I have wondered if I will find new lands in the distance – or if the road will end at a cliff, where I will plunge into the unknown on
wings of faith. I have to admit that I am feeling a bit old and worn to be embarking on another adventure. But the spirit within me says it can be done.
The past few years have shown me there is a strength God places within us that we do not often tap into. And where we, in our own strength, cannot – He can. There has been a transformation in my life. The only part that I played was opening the door and being willing to let God be the healer of my broken soul. He has been my source when the cupboards were bare. He has been my light when I could not see the way. He has been my peace in the midst of chaos. He has been my life when I did not want to breathe. This list could continue for several pages but I will leave it with one that is for today. He is my courage when I do not think I can. I can. He can.
Yes, I have been restless. I have known that I am sitting in the train on the tracks at the station. There is a rumbling in the ground beneath me. And now the conductor has called “all aboard”. I hear the steam engine begin to rev. (or whatever steam engines do!) “Chugga-chugga, chugga-chugga” as it begins to
move ever-so-slowly. “I think I can, I think I can!” Anticipation – that may be the right word.
My friend, Betsy, handed me a book this week called “Kingdom Journeys”. She knows me well. She has seen the preparation for the next steps. The title alone captures my already stirring heart. The first page of the first chapter has a quote from John A. Shedd. “A ship in harbor is safe – but that is not what ships
are for.” That may not connect with you like it did with me. But my heart wept. This book is a call to pilgrimage. I am ready. I don’t want to sit on a train in a station. I want to ride! Yes, that is where my heart is. I want to be about the Kingdom business that I was created for. This book is confirming the
restlessness inside.
I am out of town this weekend. I left Thursday morning and spent about 5 hours on the road alone. I had burned some CDs to listen to along the way. Some old music that I have been longing to hear again. Some new music that was recommended by friends. I used the skip button to pass over songs that did not strike a chord. I hit replay on the ones that did. I started making a mental list as I realized the theme that was rising to the surface. It is important to listen in those sacred moments. God often speaks there.
Below I have included links to some of the songs that make my heart beat faster. These are the words that call my name. They are kind of a journey in themselves. I don’t know what is ahead but I am going to see where this journey takes me.
© October 5, 2012
Missing Person – Michael W. Smith
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97_gqtZRSmg
Less Like Scars – Sara Groves
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CjbCcyIiQw
You Won’t Relent – Jesus Culture
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY657h4iZlk&feature=related
Without You – Shane & Shane
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eun34_2EmaQ
Move Me – Michael Gungor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVJCgvGC1BQ
Keep Your Eyes Open – needtobreathe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91iXRMkmFbs
Show Me Your Glory – Jesus Culture
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbPLeHYy_Ks
Elijah –Rich Mullins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-s4-0-g6UA