Spiritual Adventure

As you know, I have encouraged you to find a piece of scripture to carry you through this new year (here), to replace those new year resolutions you no doubt will break if your like me. And many of you have! You won't regret this. My sweet friend Yolanda from Higher Ground felt God laying a descriptive "word" on her heart for the new year (you can read about it here) and it so stirred my thoughts. I begin praying for a "word" to add to my chosen scripture of Col 4:2-6.

When I went to She Speaks this past summer, a word and scripture was given to me after praying at the cross, places on a little laminated card which I cherish and carry in my Bible. The word was "secure" and the scripture from Deuteronomy 33:12: "Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders." How fitting! I was on a journey towards becoming secure in God's grace and I can honestly say I ended 2008 secure in God's grace and truth. So what might 2009 hold for me? What might it hold for you? What word, as challenged by Yolanda, captures your heart for your 2009 journey with Him?

I purchased two books for my husband's stocking this Christmas. Only one arrived before Christmas. Lelia from "Write for the Heart" introduced me to Mark Batterson's book "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day". My husband is enjoying this book and I plan to read it when he is done. Mark Batterson's second book "Wild Goose Chase: Reclaiming the Adventure of pursuing God" came yesterday. So on this lazy Sunday afternoon, I opened it's pages for a sneak preview and I have been drawn in. I must however put it down and finish the book I currently am in but I found my word that I have been asking God for within it's title and first chapter. I feel it correlates well with my scripture of Col 4:2-6 for 2009.

In this book "Wild Goose Chase", Mark refers to pursuing the Holy Spirit as "chasing the Wild Goose" (you have to read this book to understand where he came up with this-it's cool!). He writes:

"I understand that "wild goose chase" typically refers to a purposeless endeavor without defined destination. But chasing the Wild Goose is different. The promptings of the Holy Spirit can sometimes seem pretty pointless, but rest assured, God is working His plan. And if you chase the Wild Goose, He will take you places you never could have imagined going by paths you never knew existed" (pp.2)

Does that describe your heart, your desires, your life right now? Boy. I am there. Chasing the Holy Spirit, or as Mark refers to it-"Wild Goose", determined to know Him more. There is one descriptive word that comes to me over and over as I look at my relationship with God, His place in my life, my heart, my desires....it is what I anticipate in 2009-ADVENTURE--not just any adventure but Spiritual Adventure!! That is the word this author uses to describe what its like to pursue God. I am pursuing God more in all areas of my life, but specifically my prayer life. I sense an ADVENTURE ahead in 2009!! Do you?

Webster defines adventure as "an undertaking usually involving danger and unknown risks; the encountering of ; an exciting or remarkable experience". In briefly summarizing the key concepts I see being presented within Marks book, he describes spiritual adventure as:
1. pursuing the passion God has put in your heart (responsibilities)
2. trading in the routine for adventure
3. to stop living in assumptions
4. re-conditioning spiritual reflexes (guilt)
5. accepting divine detours and divine delays (failure)
6. playing offensively with our life (fear)

"If you would describe your relationship with God as anything less than adventurous, then maybe you think you're following the Spirit but have actually settled for something less--something I call inverted Christianity. Instead of following the Spirit, we invite the Spirit to follow us. Instead of serving God's purposes, we want Him to serve our purposes. And while this may seem like a subtle distinction, it makes an ocean of difference. The result of this inverted relationship with God is not just a self-absorbed spirituality that leaves us feeling empty, it's also the difference between spiritual boredom and spiritual adventure." (pp.4)

I'm looking for a grand spiritual ADVENTURE in 2009. A never ending chase! How about you?

"Wild Goose chase is an invitation to be part of something that is bigger than you and more important than you." (pp.11).

I leave you with 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 (The Message) as you ADVENTURE into this new year:

[4-6] Every time I think of you—and I think of you often!—I thank God for your lives of free and open access to God, given by Jesus. There's no end to what has happened in you—it's beyond speech, beyond knowledge. The evidence of Christ has been clearly verified in your lives.
[7-9] Just think—you don't need a thing, you've got it all! All God's gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene for the Finale. And not only that, but God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus. God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that.

Sweet, sweet words to my soul.

I would love to know your "word" or scripture for 2009. I am sure Yolanda would too!! Be sure to share them here and on her blog Higher Ground!!

His Maidservant~Pamela