I get spring fever every year. The urge to drive somewhere, see the country, explore new regions, get away! There’s something special about getting away and the newness of spring always seems to awaken it within me. And along with those travels are the finding of great new places to be with God.
As our surroundings change or as the beauty of creation is revealed we find free opportunities with God. It can be as simple as changing our setting to freshen our prayers. And God gets our attention in new ways when we’re out of our usual spaces.
Actually, it was very cool that over the years my lovely Bonnie and I have both felt the call of the open road together. A good thing for marriage – sharing moments of impetuousity (is that a word?). And we’ve had great God times as we travel.
I remember sitting on the rocks at Killbear National Park just resting in God’s presence. Actually praying together and seeking God’s plan for youth ministry many years ago. Also, North Carolina when Bonnie attended a conference and I looked after our baby daughter. I had some great God times during her naps (the baby’s naps that is).
There’s the Third Street Church of God in Washington DC just blocks from the White House and down the street from all kinds of opulent embassies. A fantastic church where every morning they have a breakfast and worship service with people who are homeless or who need a meal. That was a favourite for us and many teens who made the drive with us. I’d rather eat and worship there than visit the White House anytime.
Or the time that we travelled with friends to Ann Arbor, Michigan to see Rich Mullins in concert. Had you suggested I would experience God in Ann Arbor, Michigan I would have thought you a little off. But that was such a God touched time.
The list goes on and on…
Romania, when I was alone and sick, which was really good despite how it sounds! Sickness is a good isolator and isolation along with quiet and prayer is powerful.
Webster’s Falls,
Trinidad,
North Sauble Beach,
The Cabot Trail.,
The kitchen in the lodge at Camp Ganadaoweh (which sadly no longer exits).
Haven’t so much done the call of the open road since having children. The call is there but it’s muffled by the need to find playgrounds and happy meals as the number of children has grown. We’re at 3 for anyone who’s counting. But as they grow older our options for travel and prayer grow too.
When’s the last time you found a special place to pray?
Actually as I think back the place doesn’t have to be that special.
If you were to even try to find a special place you might be so caught up in it that you could miss God. It’s the time with God that makes it special. A beach is nice, a mountain spectacular but add God and a connection with Him and it’s really special.
Look at the history of God’s people and the real sense of place they had. A place where they encountered the living God was worth remembering and telling the next generation about.
Wasn’t the Red Sea different for the Israelites after Moses led them through and God crushed the Egyptians?
Or that spot Jacob named Peniel where he wrestled with God it changed him and his people.
Or even think how millions of believers still flock to the Holy land to walk where Jesus walked.
Any place of connection with God is special.
There’s even the concept of pilgrimage.
That really is a road trip with God. It’s about the getting there rather than just the destination.
As opposed to the way your father would take you on road trips and it was all about getting there. He’d try for the most efficient route with the least stops. Even if you had to “go”, he’d respond with “Well, why didn’t you go before?” At least my dad did that.
Pilgrimage says the journey is as important as the destination. It’s in the journey that you follow God and draw close to Him.
Have you taken a road trip lately? Or found a special time with God somewhere specific? Why not try it, go somewhere new or even somewhere familiar and seek the face of God there?