Nature

Hallowed

~ Extravagant Hope ~ Leave a comment

Photo credit: Johannes Plenio

Hallowed

The word hallowed often evokes a mysterious and magical feeling. Supernatural. Visions of sacred, lovely light and silence swirl in my mind—a sense of something in the atmosphere crackling with divine prophesy. Holy ground—a place where angels and heavenly beings tread.

In my limited understanding of all things Divine, these images come from the knowledge that a place deemed hallowed has been consecrated and made holy by the divine presence of God.

Imagine a quiet neighborhood in the early morning hours, still sleepy from a night of peaceful rest. A man and his dog venture out for their morning constitutional. The beauty of the morning, the sleepy quiet of the houses, and the cool air on his skin bring a smile to his face and a lightness to his steps. Heavy things are weighing on him. This lovely morning soothes his spirit and invites conversation with the Creator. As he spills his fears and concerns to the Father, he is enveloped in such peace; peace that shouldn’t be here in light of his circumstances and worries, yet it is. The Father soothes and speaks provision and safety into his tired soul. Hallowed.

The woman on her bike follows the paved path through the city on her way to work. The busy street, impatient drivers, and slow-moving pedestrians blur as she frets over the presentation she will be giving in a few hours. Is she prepared? Did she remember to hit all the important points? Will what she says make sense? Her mind spins and panic tries to surface, so she lifts up a quick prayer asking for wisdom and courage. As she pedals, her thoughts come together more clearly. She remembers the hard work she put into this presentation and the success she’s had in the past. She is enough and deeply loved. Her worries dim and fade. Excitement replaces fear as her tense shoulders and churning insides relax. The Lord is with her; she can do this. Hallowed.

Night falls in the campground as the older couple settles into their camp chairs to relax and unwind before bed. The campfire dances and sparks, giving off a warm, happy glow as s’mores fixings are passed between them. The peace of the Redwoods falls around them, filling them with a sense of belonging. They find peace in nature. Listening to the forest slow down for the night, the feeling of being wrapped up and carefully tended to fill their souls. They know they are in the presence of the Holy One. Their campground in the Redwoods is hallowed ground. The Creator is everywhere. He whispers peace in the wind sighing through the trees, and sings provision as His creatures scout for food in the nooks and crannies of the forest floor. He speaks joy into this season of life as the campfire snaps and cracks. Hallowed ground.

Wherever life takes you today, myriad opportunities are waiting to usher you into the presence of the Divine. He is everywhere. Divine encounters and Divine appointments are waiting like hidden treasures to be found. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is peace, healing, hope, and freedom. Hallowed ground.

Look for Him

~ Extravagant Hope ~ Leave a comment

Do you feel it?

It’s a deep longing. An ancient ache, a supernatural discernment.

It is fierce and untamed. You can’t name it. But your spirit knows…

Something calling, singing, and leading you out into an open space–literally at times.

You sense it dancing through your thoughts, slipping around your heart, and calling out in languages known only to your spirit.

All you know is that you need to go– to find it, to be in it.

Soaked, submerged, covered in heavenly breath, timeless wisdom, peace that passes human understanding.

Creation knows Him. Nature sings and worships Him constantly without worry, fear, or trying to do it right. So much joy!

Forest trees bend and sway in ancient dances. Their branches always reaching up to their source of light and life.

Oceans crash and retreat in powerful displays that catch the cries of human hearts and pull the pain out and away.

Gentle mountain meadows thrum with life–birdsong, insects, and bubbling streams carrying healing, peace, and delight in their rhythms.

Do you feel it? The yearning for healing, refreshing, release?

Look for Him. Look for the Source of life.

Allow His whispers to lead You to Him.

You’ll hear Him in the wind that gently soothes your face, your tears, and carries your shouts, laughter, and silence up, up, up to the Throne Room.

Laughing streams will delight you, mountain air will refresh you, crashing waves will heal you, and the bench in the park under the trees will bring you rest as you find the One who’s been calling you. The One who knows you by name and sings heavenly songs over you is waiting for you. Breathe Him in and be at peace. Divine connection.

Deep in the Woods

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There’s a mysterious place deep in the woods. It’s far off the beaten path where no human has ventured. Untouched. Pure nature.

No boot prints are found, but there are footprints. Forest dwellers.

Creature paths appear random and meandering, but they are not. These trails are specific and intentional. They know where their food comes from and the safest way to get there. Provision. Trust.

Nestled into a craggy rock formation high on a forested slope, a spring bubbles up and over the roots and rocks, splashing its way down. It’s been bubbling and sparkling for years. Following a well-worn route along the forest floor, the stream bed weaves its way through gullies, towering pines, aspens, and mountain meadows. Sometimes the clear water tumbles and crashes over various forest debris, faster and faster as it descends. Other times, it slows and spreads, creating deep pools of cool water that laze along, peacefully chattering in swirls and eddies. Life-giving.

The absence of humans doesn’t mean the absence of sound. The deep woods are a sound garden of their own. Nature has a voice, and it’s primeval and beautiful.

The pines and aspens shiver and whisper with the wind as it sighs through branches and moves along tree trunks, creaking and bending—a symphony of sorts.

Sticks, dead leaves, and pine needles rustle and snap as unseen creatures forage and spy under fallen trees and twisting vines.

The babble of birdsong in the forest canopy sounds chaotic at first listen. But the trills, melodies, and harmonies blend into an exciting and joyful concerto that echoes through the trees, along the stream, and over the meadows.

Nightfall has its own unique orchestra. Whispery feathers blend with the haunting call of the owl in flight; it is otherworldly and beautiful. The stealthy sounds of night hunters and creepers as they prowl, hide, and call are eerie and supernatural.

This untouched slice of nature is a beautiful testament to Divine creation. The One who created all things sees and hears the happenings in the deep woods. It brings Him joy in its purity. The creaks and shushing of the wind in the canopy, rushing water, and the groans of nature are like a symphony of worship. His creation cries out to Him with joyful noises and complete trust in His provision. It is pleasing incense and a thing of deep beauty to Him who sits on the throne. Devoid of human voices, even the rocks cry out to the Father who holds the world in His hands.

Psalm 150:6 NLT “Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord!”