Going Back

This beach is a holy place for me. 

Set apart.

A place where I’ve walked hundreds of miles and wrestled with God in despair. 

Asked Him my heart-felt questions.

And had moments of great joy.

Last spring – another time and another place - there was a day when I was really shaken up.  Someone did something hurtful that left me rattled and wondering if I could be sure of anything.  It was one of those rare times when God prompted me and I actually paid attention.  I sensed Him saying, “Go back to what you know.” 

I felt guided to go back to a place I knew – a lake where I walked and prayed every day of a very difficult season of my life.  It, like this beach, had become a holy place for me…a physical “rock and refuge” place.  A place where I cried out to God and was reminded of His power and sufficiency regarding any circumstances. 

There I met God again.  While walking there on that day I was nudged to go back to what I knew of God and myself.  I needed to have Him remind me that I’m a precious child of His and nothing (not even mean people) can change that.  I needed to be reminded that even when I’m shaky He’s not. 

Isaiah 46:9 says, “Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.”

I join Mark Batterson in wondering if Jacob ever went back to the place he wrestled with God.  Did David go back to the spot he brought down Goliath or return to the fields where he watched sheep and first learned to trust God?  Did Peter return to the spot on the Sea of Galilee where he joined Jesus in walking on water? 

Do you have places where you’ve met or wrestled with God that you return to?

Yesterday we left one of my holy places and some delightful godly friends we do life with.  But I’ll be back.