New Zealand Adventures

Today was a marvelous Sabbath. It reminded me of when Jesus in Luke goes through the grainfields and declares, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." To me the Sabbath is the day of reviving, refreshment- the day we are energized to carry out our seemingly petty tasks of the week. Today is the day of rest for our souls. So it reminded me of this passage because I too was in a grainfield. I went to the early service of a tragically lifeless church and went hiking for the afternoon.

We went to Flock Hill (thank you Craig Leach- you're my hero), which is the great home of the Chronicles filming. It's a beautiful twist of paths (of which we chose none and made our own- you know me!) crossing continually over Broken River. This river reflected the great mystery of our God to me. It was situated in the valley of two giant hills, so we began climbling the first and noticing the cracks in the rocks and land around us. The two girls with me (both not yet saved) began talking about how the water had once been up this high and must have carved all the intricacies of the rock formations surrounds us on three sides (underneath being counted, that is). Well, the great flood was brought up, which of course led to an awesome conversation. The mystery of water is astounding to me- so delicate and transparent, yet the greatest force on earth, past God Himself. Why aren't we more like water, I wonder? Jesus says in John 14:12, " I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these.." Water- silently urgent to follow the path chosen by God for it; water- breaking walls and barriers, persevering and full of life- the most powerful force in the created world; transparent because it is pure.

So some of you know that one of the reasons I felt God's pull to come here was because of the sheep population. On another part of our hike today, amongst the thousands of sheep we saw throughout, stood one solemn, lonely sheep on the side of a steep hill. I related a lot to that sheep thus far here- trying to find community, but realizing that Christian community is a gift from God and not a necessity. It's not the people we need, but God in those people. I recalled the great parable of the 99 and the shepherd rejoicing because of the one that was lost that was now found. I realized that I am treasured over all creation. I'm made in His image and I bear the mark of His child. I may be that one sheep, but by no means am I alone. "Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear." "Come, let us return to the Lord. That we may live in His presence."

A thought I leave you with- are we spending more time talking to people about Jesus or talking to Jesus about those people?