Nature is God’s art, an intricate masterpiece, every stroke is an intention of His love.
It is my intentional pursuit to find Him there; my hikes help me to connect with God in nature. When I go there, He tells me stories. As a little girl, I often asked my dad to tell me a story, he would entertain me and I’d listen intently. As my dad’s story wrapped up, I’d always ask; “but why?…To me there’s a hidden meaning and significance to the details of my life that keep me hungry for the answer in the why. Nowadays, I ask my Heavenly Father to tell me a story. It is through stories that Jesus connected best with people. Stories help us understand life better and give meaning to even the smallest parts. Analogies are parables that help my human heart connect with the mind of God.
So, my Heavenly daddy tells me a story. I love nature, God’s creation, His divine attention to every intricate detail of the place humans can live in and call home amazes me.
Yesterday I took a hike up Pino trail, in the Sandia Mountains of New Mexico.
Trekking has taught me to note that the importance of trails, is that they have been marked by those who have gone before us.
The word of God tells us that Jesus is the way, he is the light, and His word is the force that leads us forward. “Stay on the path Georgina, just stay on the path”; I’ve heard Him say. But at times the path is monotonous, sometimes it’s not even pleasing to look at. For me, I don’t like desert scenery, it’s arid, rough, dusty, and dull.
But if you’ve ever been to New Mexico, you’ll see that we live in an “ecotone”. The intersection of desert and forest. The art of science explains the “why” with a cause and effect that lead me to believe in God’s divine order.
Everything has a reason for being.
So, my younger self asks; “but why?”
Well, biology teaches us that some organisms need a transitional area for different life activities. A “junction zone” is the place where species have become adapted to living in such areas.
These living beings are in what science calls a “successional stage”. By definition, ecological succession is the process of change in the structure of an ecological community over time.
The community starts with a few plants and animals and it develops by increasing complexity until it becomes stable as a climax community.
Wow isn’t that amazing?! For those of us who have an inquisitive mind, making sense is the thrill of life! All of this to say, I live metaphorically speaking in an ecotone! I am in a transitional stage of my life where I am constantly changing as I elevate. And just like nature, I must adapt and yield to the process of change. Seeing this truth helped me to understand that I too need the desert ecosystem, it’s a part of my spiritual community. It’s the premise to the promised land.
When I reached the forest at the heights of the mountain, I stopped and observed.
Everything was green and beautiful to look at. I felt the breeze, I inhaled the crisp cool air.
I was surrounded by the serenity and peace of the forest. I am one with creation, where everything beats to God’s rhythm of grace. It was then I realized that in order to get there, I first had to climb the desert skirts. I endured the dry land, the not so pleasant scenes. The parts I’d rather not trek through.
But it’s worth it because through that path, I get to see the beauty of the heights and I understand that all the parts of God’s systems are designed to bring about the best in me: Endurance, patience, love, godliness, humility.
Then it hits me! That picture is the story of my life! Every scene is different and equally essential, but if I don’t pay attention, I will miss God in the details.
I need the details; I want to know His intent.
And I realize that God is the parent I’ve always needed. The Father whose stories tell me of deeper truths which help me to understand how everything He does makes total sense.
My life is in transition, like an ecosystem that increases in complexity until it becomes a “climax community”; developed and steady.
Jeremiah 17:8
“A tree that is fruitful in all stages of life”
And thus, I grab on to the hand of God and follow the trail He has set before me the perfect “successional stage” where there is a clear purpose for me to exist.
2 Thessalonians 3:5
“May the Master take you by the hand and lead you along the path of God’s love and Christ’s endurance.”
And so, I pray:
“Holy Spirit, take me by the hand and lead me along the path of God’s love (the forest) and in Christ’s endurance (the desert).”
God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, different and the same. There’s a story within the story, and through the lens of faith all of life’s transitions make sense.
The Chronicles Under the Fig Tree is where the journey of life makes sense and the story unfolds and intersects with the mind of God and the words of Jesus.
Thank you for helping me see I need to appreciate the desert part of my life❤
I love it! Living in the ecotone. ❤
Thank you for reading! I pray it served you.
In His Love,
-gf
Thank you for reading! Yes indeed every part is necessary to get to where we are going. I am blessed to know it served you.
In His Love,
-gf
WOW Wow & WOW!!
Such deep REVELATION of God!!
Loved” I will miss God in the details.
“ It was then I realized that in order to get there, I first had to climb the desert skirts. I endured the dry land, the not so pleasant scenes. The parts I’d rather not trek through.
But it’s worth it because through that path, I get to
Wow wow & WOW
Such POWERFUL share of God!!
Loved
“see the beauty of the heights and I understand that all the parts of God’s systems are designed to bring about the best in me: Endurance, patience, love, godliness, humility.”
“I need the details; I want to know His intent.”