Joy
Life in Christ is caused by the Holy Spirit. One’s joy and patience is a fruit of the Spirit. This joy is not a one-time thrill. It is an everyday, all year round kind of joy. Even trials can be counted as a joy, because the test of faith produces steadfastness and in its full effect, the peace of knowing we lack nothing in Christ. This is the life we want for the next generation.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
James 1:2-
Test
After I completed an adventure with the Spirit on the Jim Creek Trail, I started back home. On the way I was drawn to hike the Broome Hut trail along the Second Creek Basin. First I got a glimpse of a beautiful snow-covered ridge in the distance (wow!). Then I saw there was one parking spot and I pulled over. The hike was steep and certainly qualified as a trial. The mountains I sought to see would not come into view again until I climbed 800 feet to a ridge in about a mile to where the Broome Hut sits at 11,325 ft elevation. This was a test. Should I continue? Could I get back in time for the prayer meeting in the evening at church? Then I saw a squirrel and wondered what else the Spirit might want me to see.
Power of the Spirit
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
Ephesians 3:20
I breathed hard in the climb, but kept going. Surprisingly, I breathed less hard as I continued, the opposite of what I expected. It seemed that had a new strength that was not my own. The experience was a reminder of the spiritual reality that I do not live in my own strength, but in the power of the Spirit. He enables me to do more than I ask or think.
that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being
Ephesians 3:16
Winter fruit
I took a break and turned around to see the sun shining on the distant mountains and the trees close to me. The Englemann spruce cones stood out. The seeds within the cones are winter food for squirrels, chipmunks, grouse, finches and nuthatches. The foliage is eaten by bighorn sheep and deer including elk, and also provides them with protective cover. A skier in the parking lot (who used skins on his skies to climb the mountain) told me that the best part was skiing through the trees. Praise God for the multiple blessing that spruce trees offer to animals, people, soil and the beauty of the landscape. Given how God adorns trees with goodness, imagine the abundance of blessings possible in the church through the power of the Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22
Love God and Sing
Soon the ridge I saw from the road began to come into view, called the Second Creek Headwall. I zoomed up with my camera on a towering rock. How impressive is our Creator! Not only did He burst molten rock up from below, but He hardened it, carved it with ice, displayed its composition with a blend of colors and showed me how to frame it between these trees, at this time, for His glory. We serve a powerful God!
For I will proclaim the name of the Lord; ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock, His work is perfect. For all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.
Deuteronomy 32:3-4
Why did the Holy Spirit urge me at this time to see God’s greatest as The Rock? On Sunday, Pastor Swanson preached that we need to wake up to the greatest truths. The fundamental issue today is that we are too consumed with self. The God that made all of the galaxies solved the greatest problem: death. God’s love shines brighter than the sun. God’s power in redeeming people of their sins is worthy of the greatest praise. Sing to the Lord!
Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. … For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols.
Psalm 96:1b-2
Peace
The knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord gives us peace through the Holy Spirit. When we look at all that God made, and know His love and promises in Christ Jesus, we have peace that passes all understanding.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7
Stand Firm in the Faith
I took a closer look at the trees in the distance. In two places I saw the same thing. Two or three healthy trees clumped together not far from a group of struggling small trees. Maybe there were times when the trees grew strong and were able to withstand avalanches. Weaker trees struggled to survive the powerful impact of heavy snow. Seems to be a picture of our need to stand firm in the faith, together.
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Wind
As I sat on the rock, the wind picked up. Could a gust blow me off the rock? The Spirit was telling me it was time to go. The Spirit goes where it wishes and we can only see the effects – a person loves Jesus, there is unity in the church body; there is thanksgiving and joy; the word preached is cherished; people pray for wisdom and revival; those adrift in the world return to the church thirsty to walk in Jesus; the hearts of the fathers turn to their wives and children; children’s hearts turn to their parents; God is praised for His goodness.
The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit
John 3:8
Thanksgiving
A last thing that drew my attention was a dead tree. I zoomed up on an interesting part and took a picture and then hustled down the mountain to my car. I made it home in time for dinner and the prayer meeting at church. One would think I would be exhausted, but I was energized. It was so satisfying to end the day with singing and praying with thanksgiving. Oh, back to the dead tree. If you remember from the previous post, the day started with a gift of colorful eggs from our chickens. Can you see the image of a chicken head in the weathered wood?
he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”
Daniel 4:35
Fantastic!! The first part really ministered to me, Neal, although all of it was insightful and encouraging as we walk together on this precious journey with the Spirit!
Fabulous beauty and wonderfully captured in your photos.