these boots in Minnesota

Driving 8 hours into the woods of Minnesota, a new state, a new place; to spend 5 days with 90 other family members from my new church body, to simply breathe, find God, and refresh our souls physically and emotionally. That was the reality of my past week.

I don’t have a whole lot to say, other then that it made my Parent-Trap loving inner-child delighted. 

We went horse riding, and swimming. I was launched off “the blob” and got up on talent night to “be Australian”. I didn’t win. We played team games, wiggled sand between our toes and took the time to sit, and stop, and read. We took a hay ride and popped a tyre.

On the way home, we stopped in at the Mall of America; America’s largest, complete with a theme park inside. We took a roller coaster in the middle of the mall, and went on our way.

We left straight after church on Sunday. And as I sat in service, with coffee in my hand, and exhausted; my head resting on the seat in front of me, God gave me a vision; a vision which was then weaved and confirmed throughout the rest of my week.

Two people were standing in heaven, one with a big pile of stuff (I couldn’t see what but it wasn’t material things) and the other with hardly anything. The one who had hardly anything was surprised; for on earth he had stored up so many things, success and respect, legacy and honour. He didn’t know or understand why he had so little.

And Jesus was there, and He said, “nothing you do on earth aside from me, counts or matters. I do want what’s best for you, for I give you purpose.  The one I entrust with what seems like a little by earthly standards, and is faithful with it, is entrusted with a lot. Didn’t I tell you that I love you? I really did know what’s best for you”.

And the man who had much in heaven, was not surprised.

During the course of the week I was also convinced that this is a bear trap. Which, fuelled by a gas tank underneath, shoots a four foot flame into the air, and sends out an electric shock.

Didn’t you see them in Alaska? He asked.

No, because they’re for Frisbee golf. Jokes on the Australian, my boyfriend lied.

There is a canyon of difference between the information we know about God, and the passion in which we live for Him. The Bible is not written simply to teach us about God, but to lead us to Him. It’s a person we are being invited to.

We are to become incarnational avenues of the presence of Christ. And we are created for whole-hearted love, as half-hearted followers have too much God to enjoy sin, and too much sin to enjoy God.

On the last day, God is not going to test us on our theology, but He is going to look for the image of Christ within our hearts. And if we don’t quit, we win.

Gods wisdom comes to those who don’t know, know they don’t know, and know they don’t need to know.

In the week where both my parents had their birthdays, and my mum turned 50 - with surprise party complete, God surrounded me with a new family, in His creation, and taught me of His love.

He is faithful.