Saturday, November 10, 2007

In Constant Awe

I don't understand thrill seekers. Maybe its just my nature, but jumping out of a perfectly good airplane hoping the parachute opens, or tying a rope to your legs and jumping off a bridge praying the rope doesn't snap just doesn't do it for me.
Although I find the stories of people who risk life and limb in order to make history, live their dream, or achieve the impossible oddly inspiring, I can't say I understand it. A hobby is supposed to relieve stress, not multiply it I've always thought, but that's just me.
In 1953, Edmund Hillary, and Tenzing Norgay made history when they were the first men ever recorded to have climbed to the summit of Mount Everest.
Since then many have tried, and some have failed in repeating the performance, some seven hundred people having successfully scaled the mountain, while over three thousand having failed somewhere along their journey toward the summit. Although frostbite, oxygen deprivation and death are a constant possibility, every year a new batch of adventurers set out to scale the mountain, and reach the summit.
It takes both commitment, and physical preparation to even attempt such a journey, never mind a hefty bankroll. When all is said and done, after acquiring crampons, carabiners, ice axes, and the such, and hiring a legitimate company to guide your ascent, you're out some $80,000 and still no closer to the famed summit. After all that, your journey hasn't even started. Acclimating to the thinner air, takes up almost two months of your life, then risking life and limb you begin your journey, a slow and laborious climb toward that place you wish to reach.
It's been said by those who have made it all the way to the top, that the experience is awe inspiring. One feels like they're on top of the world, but that feeling of awe wears off as the cold sets in, and soon even the bravest of souls must shrug their shoulders, and begin their descent. Even the most enthralled must come down eventually, a flag, a family crest, or a personal trinket the only reminder to anyone who braves the elements, and makes it to the summit that they were once there.
Those fortunate enough to survive the descent, go home with the experience of a lifetime, and a good story to tell the grandchildren around the fireplace someday.
No, I'm not sharing this story because someone talked me into climbing Mount Everest. I have better things to do with my time. I share this story, to draw a few parallels between the commitment of those who choose to go on this adventure, and the commitment of God's children when it comes to knowing Him.
Just as I don't understand people who would risk their lives in order to climb a mountain, there are some who don't understand how I can stay so excited about God, and about the things of God.
As awe inspiring as the view from the summit of Mount Everest might be, eventually, like all things of this earth it passes. When you begin to know God however, to grow, to climb, to ascend the mountain of knowledge and wisdom found only in Him, you realize the awe never wears off. God is not merely awe inspiring, God is awe maintaining, and the best part, is that you never have to leave. There's no chance of frostbite in God, you never have to climb back down, you can remain on the summit, in fellowship with Him perpetually. Imagine that singular moment of perfect bliss when one sees the view from the summit for the first time, then stretch that moment out for an entire lifetime. That's what it's like growing in God, knowing God, and being in fellowship with Him, a lifelong moment of perfect bliss.

With love in Christ,

Michael Boldea Jr.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is true.

Elm Street Chapel said...

Amen.

There can be nothing better than spending an eternity with the One who made us.

My prayer is that He would find us worthy to escape that wrath to come, and that we may know and say as Job did, that with our eyes we know we will see Him.

God bless,
Ryan

A Seed Sower said...

Brother Michael, I just got the news from Sydney Australia that my oldest grandaughter, 7years old is in a medicaly induced coma after being hit and draged by a bus while riding her bike on her way to school on Monday morning, which was yesterday for them (time difference) she has 3 skull fractures and a hemorage on her brain her name is Ebony Dixon please pray for her, thank you
Helen B.

James Kinsman said...

Then why is it, the oldest of Christians are the first to tell you that the glory of God will wear off, the joy will cease, and you will become just like them on another plateau no longer being filled by the Spirit of God.

Michael Boldea Jr. said...

Dear Helen,
Please know that your granddaughter is in my prayers, as I am certain she is in the prayers of all those who visit this web log. We serve an almighty God, His will be done.

Jim,
Because they've lost their first love. Because worship has become a tradition rather than a sincere expression of a burning heart.

A Seed Sower said...

Update on Ebony Dixon : I just received a call from NewZealand from my sons adoptive father he told me that last night Ebony was removed from life support and began to breathe on her own, Praise The Lord, she has opened her eyes, but is being kept sedated; please continue to pray for her, and her mother who is dealing with a great burden of guilt. The mother (Nadine) was riding a bike with the small son on the back and the two wee girls were riding their own bikes ahead of her. Also pray for her 5 year old sister Georgia, who witnessed the accident.
Thank you Brother Michael & Saints for your prayers
Helen B.

Anonymous said...

I'm climbing the mountain Michael and am longing for that awe inspiring relationship with Our Father and my Savior Jesus. Thank you for your words on this blog.

Helen B, we are all praying for you. Rest in the arms of our Lord and Savior and trust His will be done. I truly believe the Lord is willing to heal your grand daughter! 2 And a leper approached, and bowed low before him, saying, "Lord, you are able to cleanse me, if you are willing." 3 He reached out his hand and touched him saying, "I am willing. Be clean!" Immediately his leprosy was cleansed
Matt 8:2-3

Yours in Christ Jesus,
Paul Morris

Anonymous said...

Michael,

That was absolutely beautiful! The perfect analogy for what we all can experience if only we try.

Helen,

Please keep us updated on your grandaughter and her family. We are praying.

Mrs. Pugh

Anonymous said...

Helen,

Praise God for the good report. I just logged on, and received the prayer request and good report within seconds of each other. You and your granddaughter, her mother, and sisters are in all our prayers. I can identify as I had a similiar experience with my 6 year old daughter, who just celebrated her 30th birthday. God raised her up, in a miraculous way. My heart and prayers are with you family.



Bro. Michael, thank you so much for your words, on behalf of the Father of us all, like rain falling in a thirsty, drought stricken land. Praise God for you all. His " little flock "

In Jesus,

Vicky

Elm Street Chapel said...

Helen,

I thank God for the good report of regarding your granddaughter.

God truly does know and hear the cries of our heart.

To Him be the glory,
Ryan

Elm Street Chapel said...

Helen B,
I agree for the complete healing of your oldest granddaughter, and peace for all your family, in Jesus name.

Jim,
Just as Michael spoke, truth.
Joy comes from the inside, the heart of a man, the love of God, the pearl of great price, it just overwhelms. If the Spirit of God is their source it will not diminish. It would also make God a liar, because in the presence of the Lord is fullness of joy, and God inhabits the praises of His people. They are telling you God is losing His power, no way, just doesn't happen.
If a mans strength is carnal, earthly it will fade, all to quickly. It’s like living in the past, fading glory of an old football player, now all beat-up, saying the good old days, the good old days. But the Spirit of God is always fresh and new, from glory to glory, and He renews our strength as eagles.
L,J,P&HG
Dave

Anonymous said...

Helen,
I will keep you and yours in my prayers.
Jeff

Anonymous said...

Michael,
I've always wondered why it is that we do not walk in the power of Acts (The apostles)...why we do not experience the same type of miracles, signs and wonders that testify of the glory of God. I go to church and see people who are sick and crippled and I always wonder why healing is not part of the service. In the bible we read that Jesus healed all who came to him...we read this in every instance where he was ministering. For some reason that I really do not understand, this always weighs so heavily on my heart.

Joyce

Anonymous said...

Michael this is a true picture. Faith is taking a risk (being willing to risk all, in fact), it is trusting Another with our lives, (knowing that it could cost us our lives)....but how could we do any less than climb???
Helen, as per our emails you know you have my support in any way over here for your little granddaughter and family.

Anonymous said...

I worked in a church setting for almost 10 years, before that I stayed home with my children until my youngest was in third grade, now I am again in the secular world making a living. I found it much easier then to maintain the daily discipline that keeps the walk with God alive and awe inspiring; and to surround myself throughout the day with music, radio programs, books, and people that contibute to that constant refreshing that the human spirit needs.

Why do people seek the challenge to climb a mountain, to feel the surge of adrenelin when risking injury to the body? It is, I believe, the same reasons that Christians seek that emotional, mountain top experience with God: to be reinvigorated; and for Christians that means to experience a fresch scence of God's presence. Since we are all different in our spiritual walks, some need the reinvigoration that these experinces bring because they battle daily being drawn away.

Anonymous said...

Personally, I have loved the mountains with a passion since my childhood. I'm not as fanatical as the Everest climbers you describe, but I do understand the thrill of mountain climbing and of simply being in the mountains. All my happiest childhood memories are of being in the mountains in Switzerland. I think the Lord just made me this way for some reason.

There is nowhere on Earth I feel closer to God than in the mountains, because it is where I see and hear Him most clearly and intimately. It is so quiet, yet everything has a voice that is speaking of Him. And everywhere I look I see beautiful and awesome things that testify to Who He is and I'm filled with praise and wonder. There I can revel in the reality of how vulnerable and small and weak I am compared to my surroundings, how I need His help, and yet how truly great and powerful my God is Who holds me in the palm of His hand. I can see so many parallels, as I'm hiking and climbing, to my walk with Him, and He fuels my courage and determination and prayer to persevere with Him through my trials even as I persevere up the mountain. People I have hiked with have told me that they always want to be right behind me, especially going down, because they know if they step where I step, they won't slip. Oh, how I have prayed such a thing would be true of me spiritually!

Maybe to some it would seem like the mountains are a "type and shadow" I shouldn't need if I am walking in the Spirit. But it's one I appreciate as often as I can. One of my favorite hymns speaks of this:

This is my Father's world
And to my listening ears
All nature sings and round me rings
The music of the spheres.

This is my Father's world
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father's world
He shines in all that's fair
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass
He speaks to me everywhere.

But the best part is:

Jesus Who died shall be satisfied
And Earth and heaven be one. :)