Confirmation

 

As the daily news seems increasingly to confirm that we are in the End Times, it reminds us that time is short to experience precious moments with our families, adventures we have often dreamed of, and especially opportunities to spread God's Word. Shortly after I wrote the post below about a trip my husband and I took in 2018, the world experienced the Covid pandemic, which kept many under lockdown and severely curtailed opportunities for travel. So I thought I would repost this as a reminder to "Carpe diem -- Seize the day!" 

While browsing through my junk emails, I spotted what appeared to be a good deal on a trip to Costa Rica. My husband and I have always heard of the pristine beauty of this country and had spoken of visiting one day, yet that day had never yet seemed to come.

And while I’m not a fan of bucket lists, I also had come to realize that zip lining was an adventure I had always longed to experience – a perfect blend of my love for “flying” (which partly explains why I so love Theatre Arts dancing) and for nature. There are several such attractions in Florida where we live, but somehow hanging suspended over alligators didn’t sound too appealing.

My husband was also intrigued by the opportunity to visit Costa Rica, but we both wondered whether we should spend the time and money, when there were so many pressing concerns in our lives at home that we needed to address. So we agreed to pray about it.

After a few days of prayer, I still had no clear sense of direction, so I asked the Lord to give me some sort of sign. Although Jesus spoke of the Pharisees as being a wicked and adulterous generation because they needed a sign (Matthew 16:4), His Word also promises to give wisdom liberally to all who ask Him (James 1:5).

Shortly after I prayed for confirmation from the Lord, I ventured onto Facebook, where the first post I saw pictured a wistful elderly woman with the caption beneath, “Do what you’ve always wanted to do today, for we are not promised tomorrow.” (James 4:14)

“That seems pretty clear, Lord,” I prayed. “Would you mind very much just sending me one additional confirmation?”

Now I felt like Gideon, asking God for yet another miraculous sign, except that I felt even more presumptuous as I was asking for guidance about whether or not to take a vacation, and not about a decisive battle that would affect the lives and destiny of many people (Judges 6:36-40).

But the Lord is interested in all our needs (Matthew 6; 10:29-31), and no matter is too large or too small to bring to Him in prayer (Philippians 4:6). If we don’t bring our prayer needs to Him, how can we expect Him to answer? (James 4:2-3)

So as I happened to check my emails, the most recent message was a solicitation from Barclay’s Bank, which caught my eye as Barclay is my maiden name, even though I am no relation.

“Make this the year you resolve to travel more,” said the message!  I rushed out to tell Richard that God had sent me two clear confirmations that we should take this trip, even though they came from sources as unlikely as Facebook and a solicitation email.

It is true that God most often speaks to His children through His Word (Psalm 119:105), through sermon messages (Romans 10:17), and through Godly counsel (Hebrews 10:25; Proverbs 27:17). But we should not put God in a box and apply our expectations to His infinite powers, for He can also speak through dreams (Genesis 31:11), nature (Proverbs 6:6), and presumably even seemingly trivial communications crossing our desk, mailbox or computer screen.

We both then felt at peace about embarking on this journey and eagerly planned our stay and excursions. We continued to pray (1 Thessalonians 5:17) for safety and health while we were gone, both for ourselves and for our loved ones; for safe, smooth, comfortable travel; for pleasant accommodations, excursions, food, weather and company; and to grow closer to each other and to Him (James 4:8) as we experienced the majesty and beauty of His creation (Psalm 19:1).

Praise God, He answered every prayer! He allowed us to experience a land we had long dreamed of, to see a vast variety of wildlife in its natural setting, and to interact with pleasant people and to share God’s love with them (John 13:34-35). We distributed Gospel tracts carrying the message that all who trust in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the only Way (John 14:6) to Heaven will have eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; John 3:16).

The trip was a much needed opportunity for relaxation and continued restoration (1 Peter 5:7; Psalm 23:2-3) after a long period of stress and illness, and we are blessed and thankful that we interrupted our usual routine to take it, and to be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10).

We honor God when we turn to Him for guidance in all matters, great and small (Psalm 27:8), and I believe He honors His promises to answer prayer in the best possible way, from His perfect, omniscient, omnipotent viewpoint of infinite love. Jesus told us to seek, and we would find; to ask, and it would be answered; and to knock, and the doors of opportunity would be opened (Matthew 7:7-8).

As the zip line guide fitted me with heavy rigging before we sailed over the treetops, she asked if I had ever done this before, and if I were nervous. “This is my first time, and I’m not at all nervous, but I am praying a lot,” I answered truthfully, filled with the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

This peace (Isaiah 26:3) carried me through some challenging moments on the zip line, such as when my body weight was insufficient to carry me to the next platform and I had to turn myself around on the cable, climbing hand over hand backwards along the cable to pull myself to my destination!

Perhaps being just a little closer to Heaven added.to the joy of experiencing the jungle canopy, the plunging descent of the waterfall beside us at one point, and the exhilarating feeling of flight. Praise God that He guides us, answers prayer, wants to bless us with good gifts (Matthew 7:11), and gives us richly all things to enjoy!  (1 Timothy 6:17)

© 2018 Laurie Collett

Reposted from the archives

Road Trip!

Photo by Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives, 2010

Particularly as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, one of the great pleasures in life for my husband and me was and is the road trip!

Nothing too risky, except for the occasional stay in a rented vacation home in a scenic location, ordering takeout, cooking some meals, and spending the days in national and state parks. But our go-to road trip is always to our favorite beach on an island, just 90 minutes away, for a few days of beachcombing, swimming, biking, and kayaking.

On our latest such trip, it dawned on me how much planning and advance preparation were needed just for such a short trip and stay. Despite the casual beach lifestyle, appropriate clothes must be packed for a variety of activities and even a wide range of temperatures, especially during the winter. In February, it’s not unusual to swim in the mid-afternoon, but to enjoy the warmth of a down vest when stargazing!

As our getaway is on an island, I must carefully plan our menus and bring all needed groceries, as well as other necessities such as sunscreen, paper products, and emergency medications. My husband apportions our daily supplements into plastic packets to maintain our health while we’re away.

As I continue to work in the evenings, I have to make sure that my laptop is updated and charged and that I bring all needed files. To allow a more restful time away, I try to do whatever work I can and put out any fires before we leave.

Packing the car, especially if we’re bringing tools or equipment needed for property repairs or maintenance, is a project my husband usually starts the night before, not to mention gassing up and checking the tires and oil.

The morning that we leave, I pack the cooler and fix coffee and oatmeal to eat on the road, and we make sure lights and air conditioning are off and everything is locked at home.

Finally, seat belts buckled, we grin at one another and shout “Road trip!”

But we’re not there yet. Unexpected delays frustrate us – heavy traffic, an accident or construction blocking several lanes or even forcing a detour, car trouble, or suddenly remembering we forgot something essential and must retrace our path before we can set off again. Although we know the way, we usually set the GPS just to be warned of road hazards.

On one occasion, five minutes into our journey we nearly got into an accident when a gopher tortoise decided to cross the highway – even though these creatures are far more common on the island than where we live!  

Sooner or later, if we persevere, we make it to the barge landing. Could be a long wait to board, depending on the number of visitors and workers traveling to the island, or it could be even longer in inclement weather. But the sights, sounds and scents of island living tantalize us – the varied blues of the Intracoastal sparkling in the sun, osprey mournfully calling one another, the clean yet salty sea air.

On the island at last! But still the car must be unpacked, food transferred from cooler to fridge, windows opened to let the sun shine in.

Yet it’s all worth it once I find myself alone in the pool, swimming in clear aqua water at a perfect temperature, enjoying the company of a mourning dove perched high on the roof of the pool house, like the Holy Spirit waiting to descend. The sun shines through palm fronds in the shape of a gleaming cross, and I feel all my tension melt away as I watch a pair of osprey circle through the sky and land on a tall Norfolk Island pine where they’re building a nest.

Then later, my husband and I walk the beach, marveling at the intricacy and variety of shells and fossils God scattered there for us to enjoy; at the flocks of pelicans overhead and shore birds nibbling at coquinas, and at the landscape of sand, surf and sky He so masterfully painted for us. A few wispy lace clouds trace through the brilliant blue sky, just enough for the setting sun to later illuminate in gold, orange, mauve, and pink. Still later we’ll lie beneath the stars and contemplate the beauty and vastness of God’s creation (Psalm 19:1).

All too soon it will be time to head home, refreshed and renewed from our road trip, yet sorry to see our Island Paradise in our rear view mirror.

Our most recent road trip reminded me of a much longer, more portentous journey – and one with an even more perfect destination. As Christians who are saved by trusting in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), we know that Heaven is our ultimate and eternal destination (John 3:16). Until we get there, we are on a road trip with unexpected twists, turns, hazards, mountains, valleys and delays.

Preparation for this road trip is quite different from our earthly vacations. We don’t have to pack, for we can’t take anything with us (1 Timothy 6:7), and everything we need and could possibly desire will be there awaiting us (1 Corinthians 2:9). We have the best road map and GPS imaginable – God’s Word! (Psalm 119:105). In fact, the journey will be far smoother and more peaceful if we don’t drive ourselves, but leave our direction to the indwelling Holy Spirit, Who is the ultimate Navigator! (John 16:13).

So how can we prepare for this road trip to Heaven? First and foremost, be sure you’re saved (Ephesians 2:8-9). Unless you have an intimate, personal relationship with Jesus Christ, your destination will be the eternal misery of hell, and not the everlasting bliss of Heaven (John 3:18).

Follow His general will for all through prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17), thanksgiving (1 Thessalonians 5:18), worship (Psalm 150), meditation on His Word (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2; 119:97), loving Him and one another (Luke 10:27), and witnessing to others (Psalm 66:16). Follow His specific will for your life by seeking His direction (Psalm 66:16) and boldly walking through the doors He opens (Jeremiah 29:11).

Then, what an amazing, wondrous land awaits us – one that defies imagination! (1 Corinthians 2:9). All the perils and hardships of the journey will be worth it all when we see His face! (1 Corinthians 13:12)

There will be no sun or moon, yet Jesus Christ Himself will light Heaven with His perfect radiance (Revelation 21:23). There will be no sea (Revelation 21:1), for there will be no national boundaries, divisions or conflict – just His Church worshipping Him in perfect unity (1 Corinthians 12). He is lovingly preparing mansions for each of us (John 14:2), uniquely tailored to our preferences and desires, in a perfect City with gates of pearl, streets of gold, and walls of precious stones (Revelation 21:18-21).

Best of all, we shall eternally be united with Lord Jesus Christ and with all of our loved ones in Him, not to mention all the saints through all the ages (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). Can you imagine having personal conversations with Moses or the apostle Paul? We will have infinite time to enjoy their company and the fulfilling occupation that our Lord has appointed each of us.

We will be in young, glorified bodies that never age, get sick, die, or even experience pain or sorrow (1 Corinthians 15:42-53). We will never have to say goodbye to our loved ones or leave this idyllic Paradise!

Lord, may you guide us on all our earthly road trips but especially on our ultimate journey through life as we travel to Heaven! May we follow Your direction so that we can hear You say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21,23).

Copyright 2022 Laurie Collett

 

 

 

Confirmation

While browsing through my junk emails, I spotted what appeared to be a good deal on a trip to Costa Rica. My husband and I have always heard of the pristine beauty of this country and had spoken of visiting one day, yet that day had never yet seemed to come.

And while I’m not a fan of bucket lists, I also had come to realize that zip lining was an adventure I had always longed to experience – a perfect blend of my love for “flying” (which partly explains why I so love Theatre Arts dancing) and for nature. There are several such attractions in Florida where we live, but somehow hanging suspended over alligators didn’t sound too appealing.

My husband was also intrigued by the opportunity to visit Costa Rica, but we both wondered whether we should spend the time and money, when there were so many pressing concerns in our lives at home that we needed to address. So we agreed to pray about it.

After a few days of prayer, I still had no clear sense of direction, so I asked the Lord to give me some sort of sign. Although Jesus spoke of the Pharisees as being a wicked and adulterous generation because they needed a sign (Matthew 16:4), His Word also promises to give wisdom liberally to all who ask Him (James 1:5).

Shortly after I prayed for confirmation from the Lord, I ventured onto Facebook, where the first post I saw pictured a wistful elderly woman with the caption beneath, “Do what you’ve always wanted to do today, for we are not promised tomorrow.” (James 4:14)

“That seems pretty clear, Lord,” I prayed. “Would you mind very much just sending me one additional confirmation?”

Now I felt like Gideon, asking God for yet another miraculous sign, except that I felt even more presumptuous as I was asking for guidance about whether or not to take a vacation, and not about a decisive battle that would affect the lives and destiny of many people (Judges 6:36-40).

But the Lord is interested in all our needs (Matthew 6; 10:29-31), and no matter is too large or too small to bring to Him in prayer (Philippians 4:6). If we don’t bring our prayer needs to Him, how can we expect Him to answer? (James 4:2-3)

So as I happened to check my emails, the most recent message was a solicitation from Barclay’s Bank, which caught my eye as Barclay is my maiden name, even though I am no relation.

“Make this the year you resolve to travel more,” said the message!  I rushed out to tell Richard that God had sent me two clear confirmations that we should take this trip, even though they came from sources as unlikely as Facebook and a solicitation email.

It is true that God most often speaks to His children through His Word (Psalm 119:105), through sermon messages (Romans 10:17), and through Godly counsel (Hebrews 10:25; Proverbs 27:17). But we should not put God in a box and apply our expectations to His infinite powers, for He can also speak through dreams (Genesis 31:11), nature (Proverbs 6:6), and presumably even seemingly trivial communications crossing our desk, mailbox or computer screen.

We both then felt at peace about embarking on this journey and eagerly planned our stay and excursions. We continued to pray (1 Thessalonians 5:17) for safety and health while we were gone, both for ourselves and for our loved ones; for safe, smooth, comfortable travel; for pleasant accommodations, excursions, food, weather and company; and to grow closer to each other and to Him (James 4:8) as we experienced the majesty and beauty of His creation (Psalm 19:1).

Praise God, He answered every prayer! He allowed us to experience a land we had long dreamed of, to see a vast variety of wildlife in its natural setting, and to interact with pleasant people and to share God’s love with them (John 13:34-35). We distributed Gospel tracts carrying the message that all who trust in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the only Way (John 14:6) to Heaven will have eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; John 3:16).

The trip was a much needed opportunity for relaxation and continued restoration (1 Peter 5:7; Psalm 23:2-3) after a long period of stress and illness, and we are blessed and thankful that we interrupted our usual routine to take it, and to be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10).

We honor God when we turn to Him for guidance in all matters, great and small (Psalm 27:8), and I believe He honors His promises to answer prayer in the best possible way, from His perfect, omniscient, omnipotent viewpoint of infinite love. Jesus told us to seek, and we would find; to ask, and it would be answered; and to knock, and the doors of opportunity would be opened (Matthew 7:7-8).

As the zip line guide fitted me with heavy rigging before we sailed over the treetops, she asked if I had ever done this before, and if I were nervous. “This is my first time, and I’m not at all nervous, but I am praying a lot,” I answered truthfully, filled with the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

This peace (Isaiah 26:3) carried me through some challenging moments on the zip line, such as when my body weight was insufficient to carry me to the next platform and I had to turn myself around on the cable, climbing hand over hand backwards along the cable to pull myself to my destination!

Perhaps being just a little closer to Heaven added.to the joy of experiencing the jungle canopy, the plunging descent of the waterfall beside us at one point, and the exhilarating feeling of flight. Praise God that He guides us, answers prayer, wants to bless us with good gifts (Matthew 7:11), and gives us richly all things to enjoy!  (1 Timothy 6:17)

© 2018 Laurie Collett