Camping

With a group of friends we try to go camping at least once a year, and when we've gone, we strategically plan that the strongest & person most familiar with the location get there early to start preparing the tents. They look for a good spot that is: clean, safe, near the cleanest restroom, because obviously we're going to be stuck there (for a lack of better word) for a few days. Point being, we put time into thinking about the logistics and safety of the entire group, at least that's what we do. We don't just show up and "hope" everything is going to be ok, we at least try to do our share of the work to prepare as best we can.

Similarly, I've found in my thought life that I can't go with the flow and expect everything to be ok. The contrary is true, at least from my own experience, I've had to consciously make an effort to choose where my "tent" was going to be pitched.

Of course, as a precursor, I do need to tell you that I've FAILED MISERABLY in this area which has resulted in assumptions, anger, hurt, pain (and the list goes on)... Many times I've allowed a negative thought to linger for way too long and it grows into a very nasty habit or thought about myself or someone else.

With that said, we are all susceptible of ALL types of thoughts to come in and out of our minds. But, we choose which ones we sit on, ponder on, sleep on or even live on... It's our choice..... my choice... your choice.

Psalm 19 (also quoted in Acts 2:25-26) paints a beautiful picture for those who choose to dwell (live) in HOPE. 

The Message version says in Acts 2:25, "...I’ve pitched my tent in the land of hope..." 

I have to camp (live) in a place where, rain or shine, I choose hope. David speaks in this Psalm about having security, fullness of joy, counsel from God, instruction, being unshakeable, sleeping & hearing from God, having a beautiful inheritance ---- I mean, the list is beautiful!

The last few weeks God has been reminding me of this truth. Gently nudging me and asking me, what are you going to focus on? Who are you going to listen to? Where are you going to pitch your tent?

Despite the difficulty of retraining my mind & still failing at times, I've chosen to DWELL in hope. Because I don't want to live eating the crumbs of other people's blessings. I want to eat and be a part of the FEAST God has for me.

I hope you join me (or maybe you've already been living in the land of hope & I choose to join you).... Whichever it is, may we continue to grow in the love and knowledge of Jesus.


-Karol

Psalm 16The Message (MSG)

A David Song

16 1-2 Keep me safe, O God,
    I’ve run for dear life to you.
I say to God, “Be my Lord!”
    Without you, nothing makes sense.

3 And these God-chosen lives all around—
    what splendid friends they make!

4 Don’t just go shopping for a god.
    Gods are not for sale.
I swear I’ll never treat god-names
    like brand-names.

5-6 My choice is you, God, first and only.
    And now I find I’m your choice!
You set me up with a house and yard.
    And then you made me your heir!

7-8 The wise counsel God gives when I’m awake
    is confirmed by my sleeping heart.
Day and night I’ll stick with God;
    I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go.

9-10 I’m happy from the inside out,
    and from the outside in, I’m firmly formed.
You canceled my ticket to hell—
    that’s not my destination!

11 Now you’ve got my feet on the life path,
    all radiant from the shining of your face.
Ever since you took my hand,
    I’m on the right way.

Acts 2:22-28The Message (MSG)

22-28 “Fellow Israelites, listen carefully to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man thoroughly accredited by God to you—the miracles and wonders and signs that God did through him are common knowledge—this Jesus, following the deliberate and well-thought-out plan of God, was betrayed by men who took the law into their own hands, and was handed over to you. And you pinned him to a cross and killed him. But God untied the death ropes and raised him up. Death was no match for him. David said it all:

I saw God before me for all time.
    Nothing can shake me; he’s right by my side.
I’m glad from the inside out, ecstatic;
    I’ve pitched my tent in the land of hope.
I know you’ll never dump me in Hades;
    I’ll never even smell the stench of death.
You’ve got my feet on the life-path,
    with your face shining sun-joy all around.