It all begins with the long aerial journey to start the journey. I was apprehensive about flying, as always, but was immediately comforted to know that my row was empty and I would be able to sprawl across three seats!! The flight from LAX to Germany was long, but I spent most of the time engulfed in an amazing book called Wild at Heart, by John Eldridge. My dad gave me this book highly recommended, and it began speaking to my heart in the most incredible way a book ever has. I was in such a deep dialogue with God through much of the book. I felt like God Himself was talking to me authentically through each well put thought after another. The book really opened the heart of what it is to be a MAN of God and to come to the real heart of the God who made you such. There were so many mental revelations happening through this book, and I continued to thank God during each one. I was starting to feel really excited for the trip and had very little anxiety left regarding this journey.
From Germany, I had to fly to Delhi, and then from Delhi to Chennai. The second long leg of the flight also had a totally empty row for me to sprawl out on and get some rest. While everyone on the plane seemed to be asleep, I was sitting up reading and writing and talking with God. One of male flight attendants approaches my row and asks, "Have you heard of the Northern Lights?" "YES!!!" I replied as he pointed at my shade drawn in front of the window, beckoning me to open it up and see. Sure as daylight, I looked out the wing of our Indian aircraft only to see the most amazing display of the Northern Lights I could have ever hoped for. The man chatted with me a bit about them, while I was experiencing extreme chills and excitement at the shear wonder, mystery, and beauty in these dancing night swirls. These irradescent flows of multi-colored lights were flowing like the gowns of angels descending to earth, and it was all happening about 20 feet in front my window.
I could not, and can not, help but to feel like this was God Himself again speaking to me and showing me that this was the beginning of a long, mystical journey. I prayed and praised God for such a beautiful encounter with one of the most gorgeous natural occurences I have ever wanted to see. Things were feeling alright, until I got into Chennai alone.
Chennai is the hottest and second most populated state in India. It is filthy, and the people are not always as nice here as they seem in other regions. After stepping out of the airport to hail a rickshaw, I was bombarded by a wall of steam which made it feel like I was breathing through a wet sponge! There were at least a thousand Indian people in the chaos of the airport area, and I was immediately feeling overwhelmed and being in over my head. I got a cab to the shadiest cheap hotel I could find, and shut the door and began to pray with a heavy heart and tear-laden eyes. Even after God's mystical experience with me, I felt so alone and out of touch with Him all of the sudden. I prayed through it and started some reading, and God helped me to get out of the room to start the journey alone.
I am reminded of the way God blessed the Israelite people in the Old Testament with many miracles(parting of the red sea, escaping from Pharoah, winning numerous battles, etc.) and how He brought that up to them when they felt forsaken or out of touch. God reminded them of all the many miracles He had showed them firsthand, encouraging them to remain faithful in that memory of His almighty power and omiscience. And yet many of them, still strayed or felt forsaken by God when things went wrong. After my few mystical experiences with God on the flight there, I was feeling far away and forgotten. The first day of sightseeing alone, I encountered the only seeming Christian rickshaw driver who became my driver and tour guide through chennai all at a very humble price. Then, I was treated to breakfast at a hotel restaurant by a business man from New Hampshire, whose english and shared conversation about his journeys throughout his youth really inspired and uplifted me. To add the icing to the cake of God's authentic experience with me are these two men's names; Thomas(from New Hampshire) and Paul(from India-my rickie driver). Not only had God provided the perfect comforting friends and conversations, but they were named after two of Christ's disciples. I am wondering if I will meet the other ten names now!! God speaks in mysterious ways that are authentic, creative, and special according to each of His children's needs and desires. I spent the three days alone exploring sights like St. Thomas Basilica(burial place of Thomas the apostle), Kaballasware temple, Mamallapuram, and the Five Rathas. I did much praying and thanking to God in these places just for this already amazing Divine experience. I have struggled with patience and some lonliness since I got here, but once I met up with my dear friend mike on the fourth evening, everything seemed to be shining again and I was ready to face a whole new set of struggles with him. Never forget the miracles and divine interventions God provides for you, no matter how small, because those could very well be the answers to your prayers and struggles. If you seek Him, He will find you and lift you up from the struggles and triumphs.
I am now really enjoying my time here as we have moved up to a much cooler climate and better area called Bangalore. We are setting out for some serious travel in the next week, and Im looking forward to a whole new set of experiences and lessons from the true Father.
In His Comfort-Russ
Psalm 139:7&8 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
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5 comments:
Hey Bud! Sounds like God has already
begun a mighty work in you. I am so
inspired by your walk and I am beaming with joy because you're holding His hand through this journey. Your in the Greatest Hands Ever!
Love you, Mom
Russ,
your readings are so inspirational, and give me comfort in knowing you are on this journey with God by your side along the way. I miss you very much, and think of you every day.
Love, Mom #2
Russ,
We have enjoyed reading about your adventures and your journeys with God at your side. Your initial post was anticipation of exciting revelations. The second post was the beginning of many revelations you will encounter in the weeks to come... Have a great time!
Rod & Toni (in the "Nube" or "Nub")
hi russ, you dont know me, but i feel i am beginning to know you! already you have hit on the same questions and feelings i too have felt. i am anxious to follow your thoughts and experiences and so is all in my office that are keeping up with your postings....sandy
Russ,
What a great adventure you are on! I encourage to continue to listen for God's voice during your travels. But be alert as He often shows up in the small ways that ways like you have described.
In the book of 1 Kings we find God whispering to his prophet Elijah. Elijah had just shown King Ahab and all the people how mighty God was. Then when Jezebel threatens to kill him, Elijah flees to the mountains and hides in a cave. Discouraged, he tells God that he has had enough.
This man of God who watched the Lord do mighty miracles is now cowering in a cave.
Then the word of God came to him: "So Elijah, what are you doing here?"
I've been working my heart out for the God-of-the-Angel-Armies," said Elijah. "The people of Israel have abandoned your covenant, destroyed the places of worship, and murdered your prophets. I'm the only one left, and now they're trying to kill me." Then he was told, "Go, stand on the mountain at attention before God. God will pass by." A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn't to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn't in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn't in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper. When Elijah heard the quiet voice, he muffled his face with his great cloak, went to the mouth of the cave, and stood there. A quiet voice asked, "So Elijah, now tell me, what are you doing here?" I Kings 19: 9b-13 (The Message)
Elijah had a misconception of God’s presence in his life. He tended to believe that God was present if he could see his power revealed through mighty acts, such as what he had just witnessed with the consuming of the offering by fire from heaven. Elijah thought that God spoke only in big and mighty ways. But God showed Elijah that He also speaks in the quiet whisper.
In our day we often do not hear the quiet whisper because we are too busy or our lives are too noisy to hear God speak. God spoke to the boy Samuel in I Samuel chapter three when Samuel was still and attentive. We must learn to still our minds and be attentively listening for God’s voice.
Joel will be graduating from Biola University this May following a call that began years ago in the Philippines. About 9 years ago Joel was on a mission’s trip in the Philippines with the youth group from First Baptist Church. At one point in the trip, Joel was having a conversation with a young Filipino pastor about ministry. The pastor said to Joel, “When you are a pastor, you will know.” That comment reverberated in Joel’s mind for many weeks and months later. Joel said, “What struck me was the pastor said when you become a pastor, not if.” God used that comment to whisper in Joel’s ear “I want you in ministry.”
In most of our lives God speaks to us in quiet ways. The unsettling of our spirit when we have sinned against another, the urging of our hearts to say a kind word or do a kind deed are all ways in which God speaks with a whisper. When we respond to God’s voice, He is glorified and we are blessed. Sometimes he speaks to us directly and sometimes He uses other people to speak to us.
In the book of 1 Samuel, God spoke to the boy Samuel directly and then used Samuel to speak to the priest Eli.
My friend Chris was driving with his son Tyler one day when they passed a homeless man who held a sign that read, “Hungry. Can you spare some food?” Tyler is nine years old and it is already evident his spiritual gift is mercy. He had some candy that he had saved for later in the day. Realizing that this man was hungry, Tyler insisted that Chris turn the car around so they could give the candy to the homeless man. Chris did not want to discourage his son’s mercy and generosity so they did indeed turn around. Tyler handed the man his candy. The homeless man took the gift of food, looked Tyler in the eyes and said, “God is with you.” Tyler’s mouth dropped open and he turned to his dad and said with astonishment, “How did he know!”
From our adult point of view we may think that the man says that to everyone. But to Tyler it was as if the words came from God himself. Perhaps Tyler was responding as Samuel did to the voice of God when he felt compelled to give that homeless man his candy. As result, Tyler himself was blessed. And the homeless man blessed Tyler by affirming that God had indeed spoken to him and was with him……a huge lesson for a little boy.
So Russ, I encourage you to keep your ear finely tuned to hear God’s whisper through His Word, His creation, and through people. You never know when your obedience to the Lord’s voice might feed a hungry person or affirm a calling.
Sandy Garman
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