I thought I might have to turn back. On our family trip to Montana, I was overcome with exhaustion walking up the four-mile hike that traverses the mountain up to the summit of our favorite ridge top. We’ve been climbing this trail for over twenty years and it’s one of the adventures I look most forward to each summer. This time, my dad, my husband, and my children were far ahead of me.
When I caught up to them at one of our rendezvous spots, they shared how the hike was affecting them much more than ever before too. We realized it was probably the smoke in the air from the Canadian fires.
My youngest son stayed back with me for a bit, walking behind me and, in a sweet role reversal, encouraged me up the next several sections. He reminded me of how the effort was worth it, that I had exactly what I needed inside of me to complete the journey, and included a visual of what I would see at the top. He encouraged me to just take small steps.
Like the mountain I was climbing, life is full of challenges. It is also full of opportunities to chase the dreams God has placed in our hearts that let us use and develop our gifts as we take small steps toward flourishing for Him.
In Zechariah 4, verse 10, we are reminded that the small things, the small steps, will bring rejoicing. “For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice… “ESV.
A great strategy for digging deeper into a verse that inspires is to:
• read the passages before and after the pulled-out verse.
• be reminded of when and for whom it was initially written.
• ask how it applies to me today and what it teaches me about who God is.
Zechariah 4 was written by the prophet Zechariah, to give hope to the Israelites through the visions God gave him. God’s people had been taken captive and moved to Babylon after their land was taken and the temple destroyed. Seventy years later, a portion of the exiled were allowed to travel back to Jerusalem to rebuild their community and the temple. The construction had slowed, and encouragement was needed.
I can relate; I was feeling that way on my hike. I have also felt that way in my life. Just as in Zechariah, there is still a temple. Our salvation through Jesus transforms us into His temple, where He dwells as the Holy Spirit. As God’s temple, we can use some direction on how to be strong in our adventures ahead.
There are eight small takeaways from this passage that can make a big impact:
• In verse one, the Angel of God returns showing how we are never alone. God will wake us up to what He wants us to learn.
• What dreams do we envision for our lives? In verse two it asks, “What do you see?”
• The third verse shares Zechariah’s vision of two olive trees whose oil runs straight to the lamps in the temple. Continual reliance on God’s Spirit fills us just like those lamps.
• Verse four confirms that it is okay for us to ask God questions and to reach out in prayer when we are confused and unsure.
• When asked in verse five, “Don’t you know?” we are reminded that so many of the answers to our questions are available to us already, in God’s Word.
• Talent and abilities won’t help us succeed; only God’s Spirit can, verse six reminds us.
• God has the power to take the mountains we are climbing and make the way forward a plain, verse seven shares.
• Verse ten reminds us that through little steps, the tiny triumphs, we will find grand adventure.
God reveals to us promises and reminders that He is always with us, will sustain us and His Spirit will be enough.
When I reached the summit on our hike, every step had been worth it. I was in awe of the view and how far I had come. Your adventures ahead, powered by the Holy Spirit, will be worth it too. You will be in awe of how far He will take you.
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Are you ready for adventure? It’s waiting for you!
Adventure Awaits, by Kristin Lenz, helps women seeking to fulfill their dreams through new tools and strategies for decision making, practical action steps for today, and plenty of encouragement and inspiration to pursue the passions God has placed on their hearts. Drawing from her own experience in creating her popular decorating blog and lifestyle brand, Kristin offers a roadmap for finding the things that truly energize and enrich you.
Learn more about the book and how to purchase here.
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