Unbelievably hot, and, I found myself hiking the ridge of a mountain range at the Pakistan border. It was 130 degrees. It was my assistant, Thompson, and I. We had flown into Torkham on a bird. The helicopter ride was great, rolling in and out of the mountain passes. At one point, I could have almost reached out and touched the face of a mountain. In reality, it was a good 30 yards away. It’s just that I have never flown past a mountain that closely, but, back to Torkham. Unbelievably hot, and up the ridge we went.
Thompson and I were walking around on the FOB. We began to talk to some guys about the mountain ridge that led up to some stuff that will remain undisclosed. In the conversation, one of the guys said, “You should hike up there; it’s beautiful. My immediate response, of course, “That would be great.” So, off we went. Thompson didn’t decry going then. There were too many men around. He had to look at least as willing as I was. His willingness would wane. He will greatly appreciate me pointing out this fact.
It certainly wasn’t the biggest or even the most difficult hike I have ever done. However, it was certainly the hottest. The best way to describe it is to imagine walking around in a large oven that has rocks in it. On occasion, there was that stiff breeze. I know what you are thinking – how nice, a breeze. Let me help you with that thought. Imagine a gigantic Clairol hair dryer being held directly in your face. That is the kind of breeze to which I am referring. If I am not mistaken, Torkham was the runner up for where Satan would be sent when he was thrown out of heaven. Hell won out by a slight margin.
We made it to the top of the ridge. I don’t remember how high it was. This is probably due to the fact that my body was focused on surviving a heat stroke. We took some pictures. They are good. I hope to get them up on my blog soon. Then, we headed back down.
If I didn’t mention it, we were in our full uniform, boots included. If you have been visualizing this entire adventure with us in shorts, t-shirts, and running shoes, you would be horribly mistaken. By the time we reached the bottom, people were asking us if we needed medical attention. We both declined. I am not sure that was a wise decision. We were literally soaked through our clothing. We returned just in enough time to get a drink of water and for me to conduct a brief communion and short Bible study. I was in rare form.
It can take a long hard journey to see something great. That we did on this day. I wouldn’t take anything for it. It isn’t the first time I have experienced this (read about my hike in the Grand Canyons at timbslim.blogspot.com). But, it was a reminder. We stood on top of a ridge. We saw unique and beautiful landscapes. We saw Pakistan. A lot of sweat and energy was spent. Remaining is a lifetime of vivid memories.
Great living comes out of the crucible of life. You can’t really live until you have really hurt. Maybe this seems contradictory. I just know it to be true. My dad used to quote someone that I can’t remember at this time. He would say that a man can’t be greatly used by God until he is greatly broken. Maybe the words were a bit different. The truth still remains.
I don’t want to sound like a preacher right now. That is the last thing I usually desire. The day I swoop my hair (what’s left of it) and spray it to my head is the day I want someone to slap silly. Here is the truth: Brokenness brings deep and abiding joy and peace.
“That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His SUFFERINGS, being conformed to His death” (Phil 3:10). I’d like to camp out in the first part of this verse, knowing Him in resurrection power. That would be great; living in total and absolute control of life, exercising great power and strength in all situations and circumstances. Who in his or her right mind wouldn’t choose this? Paul just had to add the next part, knowing Him in “the fellowship of His SUFFERINGS conformed to His death.” Well that just blows. Paul is saying that I can live in resurrection power. He is saying that I can have abundant life. However, that abundant living and resurrection life comes by death and suffering. Hope you weren’t looking for magic. This is real stuff.
I remember something else my dad said once. He went to Quincy’s to eat with a pastor. He said that the pastor did or said something that deeply troubled or even hurt him. He also told me that he had prayed that day to understand more about what it means to suffer like Christ. His prayer was answered.
Climbing a mountain ridge in Afghanistan, in 130 degree weather is physically tough. Living through great pain, heartache, suffering, periods of sinfulness, distance from God, etc… can be debilitating. One has the tendency to cry out and eventually want to just give in completely. If you have ever been there, you know. Exasperation, defeat after defeat mounts up. One wonders if ever there will be a day when life will once again return to at least a semblance of normality. It never does. Life is always different after such struggles. But, is it different in a bad way; it doesn’t have to be
God uses ragamuffins, outcasts, downtrodden, broken, left in the dirt, alcoholics, whores, gossips, tax cheaters, shady businessmen, lonely, bipolar….. people. He comes to the weak. He raises the wounded. He dusts off their knees. He tells whores who have washed His feet with their tears and wiped them with their hair, “Your sins are forgiven.”
If you have hurt, you are near His heart. If you have fallen apart, you have great strength in Him. You might just be at the beginning of living in resurrection power. Are you out of energy? Have you passed what seems like the point of no return? Then, you are right where He wants you. You have tasted the sufferings of Jesus. A new day is dawning. Stay in the pain long enough to drink in the suffering of Jesus. Then, run in absolute freedom, power, and joy in Him.
Thompson and I were walking around on the FOB. We began to talk to some guys about the mountain ridge that led up to some stuff that will remain undisclosed. In the conversation, one of the guys said, “You should hike up there; it’s beautiful. My immediate response, of course, “That would be great.” So, off we went. Thompson didn’t decry going then. There were too many men around. He had to look at least as willing as I was. His willingness would wane. He will greatly appreciate me pointing out this fact.
It certainly wasn’t the biggest or even the most difficult hike I have ever done. However, it was certainly the hottest. The best way to describe it is to imagine walking around in a large oven that has rocks in it. On occasion, there was that stiff breeze. I know what you are thinking – how nice, a breeze. Let me help you with that thought. Imagine a gigantic Clairol hair dryer being held directly in your face. That is the kind of breeze to which I am referring. If I am not mistaken, Torkham was the runner up for where Satan would be sent when he was thrown out of heaven. Hell won out by a slight margin.
We made it to the top of the ridge. I don’t remember how high it was. This is probably due to the fact that my body was focused on surviving a heat stroke. We took some pictures. They are good. I hope to get them up on my blog soon. Then, we headed back down.
If I didn’t mention it, we were in our full uniform, boots included. If you have been visualizing this entire adventure with us in shorts, t-shirts, and running shoes, you would be horribly mistaken. By the time we reached the bottom, people were asking us if we needed medical attention. We both declined. I am not sure that was a wise decision. We were literally soaked through our clothing. We returned just in enough time to get a drink of water and for me to conduct a brief communion and short Bible study. I was in rare form.
It can take a long hard journey to see something great. That we did on this day. I wouldn’t take anything for it. It isn’t the first time I have experienced this (read about my hike in the Grand Canyons at timbslim.blogspot.com). But, it was a reminder. We stood on top of a ridge. We saw unique and beautiful landscapes. We saw Pakistan. A lot of sweat and energy was spent. Remaining is a lifetime of vivid memories.
Great living comes out of the crucible of life. You can’t really live until you have really hurt. Maybe this seems contradictory. I just know it to be true. My dad used to quote someone that I can’t remember at this time. He would say that a man can’t be greatly used by God until he is greatly broken. Maybe the words were a bit different. The truth still remains.
I don’t want to sound like a preacher right now. That is the last thing I usually desire. The day I swoop my hair (what’s left of it) and spray it to my head is the day I want someone to slap silly. Here is the truth: Brokenness brings deep and abiding joy and peace.
“That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His SUFFERINGS, being conformed to His death” (Phil 3:10). I’d like to camp out in the first part of this verse, knowing Him in resurrection power. That would be great; living in total and absolute control of life, exercising great power and strength in all situations and circumstances. Who in his or her right mind wouldn’t choose this? Paul just had to add the next part, knowing Him in “the fellowship of His SUFFERINGS conformed to His death.” Well that just blows. Paul is saying that I can live in resurrection power. He is saying that I can have abundant life. However, that abundant living and resurrection life comes by death and suffering. Hope you weren’t looking for magic. This is real stuff.
I remember something else my dad said once. He went to Quincy’s to eat with a pastor. He said that the pastor did or said something that deeply troubled or even hurt him. He also told me that he had prayed that day to understand more about what it means to suffer like Christ. His prayer was answered.
Climbing a mountain ridge in Afghanistan, in 130 degree weather is physically tough. Living through great pain, heartache, suffering, periods of sinfulness, distance from God, etc… can be debilitating. One has the tendency to cry out and eventually want to just give in completely. If you have ever been there, you know. Exasperation, defeat after defeat mounts up. One wonders if ever there will be a day when life will once again return to at least a semblance of normality. It never does. Life is always different after such struggles. But, is it different in a bad way; it doesn’t have to be
God uses ragamuffins, outcasts, downtrodden, broken, left in the dirt, alcoholics, whores, gossips, tax cheaters, shady businessmen, lonely, bipolar….. people. He comes to the weak. He raises the wounded. He dusts off their knees. He tells whores who have washed His feet with their tears and wiped them with their hair, “Your sins are forgiven.”
If you have hurt, you are near His heart. If you have fallen apart, you have great strength in Him. You might just be at the beginning of living in resurrection power. Are you out of energy? Have you passed what seems like the point of no return? Then, you are right where He wants you. You have tasted the sufferings of Jesus. A new day is dawning. Stay in the pain long enough to drink in the suffering of Jesus. Then, run in absolute freedom, power, and joy in Him.
Comments
You're getting pretty darn good at these things; and it truly makes me feel as if I'm sitting right across from you hearing it in person. Thanks for taking the time, we pray for & love you continually!