Anna Pranger
The rain lightly taps my windshield as a drive around the curve. The steady rain continues, the trees on either side of the road sway lightly with the wind. Excitement fills my body as I urge my car onward up the mountain. I round curve after curve as by body moves with the lunge of the car. Finally I them, no longer hidden by tree the mountains brag with beauty under the early morning sky. I pull my car off to the side of the road and pull my jacket tighter against my body. I find a comfy spot at the look out and stare at the moving clouds as rain drizzles around me. The clouds engulf the mountains and the sun hides behind the storm clouds. The cold rain soaks my clothing but in a mesmerized state I stay and take it all in. The trees dance below and the clouds take turns covering the tops of the mountain as a unified force. I am overcome by the design and splendor of God’s creation. I cant help but think that God Himself is much more magnificent than even this moment in time.
“God’s splendor is a tale that is told, written in the stars. Space itself speaks his story through the marvels of the heavens. His truth is on tour in the starry vault of the sky, showing his skill in creation’s craftsmanship.” – Psalms 19:1 TPT
My prayer is for our hearts to be drawn to the story of splendor written in the stars. My hope is for us to enter a lifestyle of pause and reflect as truth is displayed through the beauty of His nature. We must take a stand and determine that we will not be conformed to a life of “busy and hurry.” Instead, a lifestyle of surrender to the splendor of our King. Our life should reflect the skills of the craftsman, as He creates and births ideas in dreams deep in our hearts. I hear the Father say, “Come sit awhile in my presence and behold the glory displayed on my face.”
As I ponder the words of the Father I can’t help but wonder what type of lifestyle this entails. I am reminded of the story in Luke 10, Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and surrendered her work and busyness aside. Jesus confirmed that what she chose would not be taken from her. Mary chose the glory of His face and in return experienced a depth of splendor many long for but miss. I often find that our westernized culture is so caught up in what we can produce for the Father, that we miss the simplicity of just being with Him.
We become obsessed with making the dreams in our heart a reality and in return miss the joy of simply living those dreams with Him. He desires to connect with you, to show you the splendor of His beauty and the depth of His heart. Only in the Secret Place will these things be revealed to you. The fullness of His splendor is yours to experience but not all will. Those who will miss His splendor are those who put producing and busyness before the Secret Place. Its those with a Martha heart that idolize time and schedules above the power of sitting at His feet.
Friends, I charge you with heavenly conviction to set aside the busyness and idols in your life and sit at the feet of Jesus. For many of us time is our idol, we use the excuse that God knows our season and will meet us where we are or that we have no time to sit aside for Him. And while that is true, we serve a good God with unlimited Grace, I believe He is calling us to be intentional with Him. Many of us must give something up in order to make Him a priority. This will look different for every single person because God is relational not restricted by rules and boxes. Ask Him to reveal His splendor, look to creation for inspiration, and prioritize uninterrupted time to just be with Him. You will be in awe of what He does for your heart in the Secret Place.
