A week in the Appalachian Mountains, specifically the Blue Ridge, was an ideal environment for thought development. Almost 4,700 feet above sea level, looking over the valley that is Boone, North Carolina, I spent a week with my best friend before his wedding. Our time spent together was nothing short of a blessed miracle amidst living with his and his bride's family and nearly frantic wedding planning. I have been refreshed by God's faithfulness to equip us to love and care for one another and to personally experience the bonds of meaningful relationships. The wonderful celebration of Taylor and Graci's love for one another was exacerbated by our mutual deep commitments to one another and their families. What a blessing to share in a demonstration in God's loving commitment to us!
Today, I was reminded that these special moments are invaluable when experienced with the Lord. His fellowship and presence is incomparable to the fleeting times of life. The moments of despair and agony are especially important times to be spent with the Lord. As Paul wrote, we are to be content in all things - assured by the grace of God, that He is sufficient even in our times of weakness. This is the reality for another friend of mine who is grieving the termination of a relationship. To share this burden with him is the opposite of Taylor and Graci's celebration, but what a blessing to also share our pains with one another just as I am assured of God's loving commitment to us.
On top of the mountains, the prophet could see into the Promised Land of what is to come, but that of which he could not yet have. So true it is today that the Kingdom is here - kissing us in the face - but it is not yet a complete fulfillment of His promises to us. We pray to have eyes to see this Kingdom, to experience it, and to await the coming of the Bridegroom for which our pains and agonies shall be redeemed and we shall be completely united as His bride in a consummation of His loving promises to us.
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