Yesterday, I got the incredible opportunity to go with a local flight tour company, Fly Denali, and witness the summit of Denali (which means "the Great One", also referred to as Mt. McKinley) first hand! The whole experience was so surreal and filled with favor. I got to go for free and they put me as co-pilot, I had a front seat view of the entire expedition. My heart was pumping as I crawled into that front seat, staring down at the control panels and steering wheel. Immediately I understood why people fall in love with flying, such an incredible feeling of freedom. I put my headphones on and felt as if I was a kid playing dress up and felt as if I could suddenly take control of the plane...don't worry, I didn't!
The engine fired up and we began down the runway to begin our journey, I was completely twitterpated!
I was so overwhelmed with excitement, I could hardly speak...I couldn't make conversation, everything I said sounded so mindless. In all honesty, I didn't really want to talk, I wanted to sit there and breathe in this experience; this once in a lifetime opportunity. As co-pilot though, I felt a bit obligated to say something, especially considering no one else was really saying much besides the pilot, who I sensed wanted some interaction to take place. Everyone I believe, was in the same state I was in...awe and amazement.
Denali soon began to show its glorious summit from a distance and anticipation was building...oh how I love the mountains, especially large, snow capped ones!! All of a sudden, there she was...razor sharp peaks, crevases left and right, crowns left from avalanches, footprints from previous expeditioners, layers of ice and snow...so many natural processes going on, plus Denali is still growing everyday! We flew around the mountain in each direction, hardly able to see all that it really is. I can only imagine the experience the climbers have, what a wonderful opportunity that would be to have such an intimate part of the mountain. I don't forsee that in my future, but who knows ;)
I was so blessed by this opportunity, it certainly will never be forgotten. I wanna thank those at Fly Denali, my pilot Trent and Leslie at Princess for hooking up this trip for me! God, you are in the details...what an awesome Creator you are!
It's been awhile since I have added an update...I know that you all have been eagerly awaiting another post and when I say all of you, I mean whoever reads this babbling nonsense :) A lot has happened within a short time span, I've learned a lot on so many different levels. I've been pushed, tested, discouraged, encouraged, faith filled, I could go on. Lately I have been able to get on the water and begin my training trips as a guide, which really excites me...it has been intimidating at times, especially being the only female guide in this outfitter. Rafting is a lot different up here than what I am use to at home, so is the clientele. Today I have a trip, that puts me at 11 training runs, only 4 more to go!!
Coming up here has granted me a lot of opportunities and has refreshed me in areas that needed to be revived. I really have seen the simplicity of being a Christ follower, not necessarily simple in task, but the simplicity of just allowing the gifts God has given me to burst forth. There is no standard or protocol that I have to abide by to be accepted as His daughter- I can just be me! Romans tells us that if we have certain gifts, just do them and do them well. Really? I just have to be me and utlize the gifts and passions God engraved on my heart? YES! I love to encourage people, Paul tells me in Romans that if you have the gift of encouragement, then encourage others. I know that I have setbacks and things that don't look how Christ looks but I understand that God is with me, He is always moving forward- thus I am moving forward. "I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who lives, but He who lives in me", you can't undo a crucifixtion, scars from that moment still reside. His grace is certainly sufficient and as I continue to fixate myself upon him, new life and healing take place.
Scripture has come alive to me in ways I have never experienced before. I have never doubted the truth in God's word, but to receive it and truly believe what it promises is a whole new dynamic. My theme for this venture is Phil. 4:13, "I can do ALL thing through Christ who strengthens me." I have applied that to every challenge or fear that I have faced up here and the results have been incredible. haha, I sound like a weight loss infomerical...what can I say, it's the truth. I've heard Phil. 4:13 countless times and always considered it, now, the impossible has become the possible, which in all reality, ever since I did give my life over to God's will- my life has been so much more enriched by the "impossible". I am coming down to the wire up here, only a month left. I pray that I can leave people here with the hope that has been given so freely to me...it's not religion, it's not ritual but a relationship with Christ.
Before I share my point of view, let me iterate that it is merely that, my point of view. Take from it what you will, even disagree if you will, but I want to offer an idea from a perspective that I have taken. Karma, essentially in the abbreviated form, is the notion that what goes around comes around, that an individual is bound to reap the consequences of even the smallest action. In theory, I agree with this idea, there is a Biblical undertone to this for the Bible states that, “you will reap what you sow”.
Here is where my interjection comes into play- although, I concur that our actions do have consequences whether good or bad, the idea of karma possesses more of an internal focus. Granted, I am not delving into the intricacies and all the undertones of karma because there are many facets of it that I am not going to cover. The general western public who use this term and adopt this philosophy though view karma more in the loose sense so that is what I am addressing.
Walk through this with me, think about it, under the doctrine of karma you are bound by your actions, which in theory could offer a sort of accountability but the motives behind good doing is more of a selfish reason. Do good so good things will fall upon you; do bad and bad things will fall upon you. You’re left with only two options, so any self-proclaiming karmic follower of course would and should choose to live a life of good deeds in order to live a life of prosperity and good fortune (not necessarily in the monetary sense). The unfortunate thing about this matter is that no one is fully good despite our best of intentions. One mistake, one fault, etc… can easily cancel out a lifetime of good deeds- it’s daunting how quickly life or people can turn on you for the decisions you make. The Bible says that we are all punishable by death for the sins that we have committed and remember that in the eyes of God, there is no degree of sin. If you break the law, you are a lawbreaker, doesn’t matter which law it is. Now, the consequences for said sin may look differently as it would in any justice system, but sin is sin- no matter how great or how small. Since each one of us has in some way committed a less than virtuous deed in our lives, we should all be subjected (under the law of karma) to have bad things come our way. So when misfortune comes your way, you are stuck looking down the line of your life trying to determine the moment in history that provoked such an occurrence, when in actuality sometimes things happen in life that we cannot explain that no one provoked.
Grace is loosely defined as unmerited favor, a manifestation of favor, mercy or a pardon. Grace is the act of pardoning ones sin or actions based merely on love and favor- grace speaks on your behalf even when you’re in the wrong. Have you ever been in a circumstance where you know you’ve screwed up big time? You know it, everyone around you knows it but you didn’t get the punishment you deserved or thought you deserved- that is grace my friend. Don’t confuse grace and justice, God is very serious about justice, He isn’t called a Judge for nothing. We see grace though in the form of Christ, “For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ” Romans 5:17. I’ve committed a lot of “stupid” in my life- in some cases I have had to reap the penalty for those actions, but at times, I’ve been able to experience the beauty of grace in Christ, not just in eternal life but in everyday life. I’ve been in car accidents that I should have probably died in. I’ve hurt people who should have never talked to me again. I have behaved in ways that counteract the Christ that I love and took shape in hypocrisy. I could go on and on, but what it boils down to, I am grateful for this grace I have accepted. Everyone has it whether they accept it as grace or not, you may not see it as the person it is, but it’s there. Whether you like it or not, you would not be able to live without it operating in your life, otherwise the burdens of life would consume you.
Now I live my life on the courtesy of grace- not out of obligation or out of the notion I am going to get something out of it or because it's some right of passage but simply because of God’s love and unmerited favor. I serve people out of gratitude because I can walk in the freedom knowing that there is nothing that I can or cannot do that will separate me from the love of God. So there you have it, my view towards the subject, like I previously mentioned take from it what you will. Just remember, karma is a supernatural idea…it is an ideology that the powers of the universe and cosmos are out to get you due to the things you do, good or bad. If you can believe in that supernatural power, then maybe the supernatural is not just an obscene thought. Grace has given me opportunities that I don’t deserve, people I don’t deserve and so much more…and I never saw any of them coming! And it is from that gratitude I have due to grace that helps me from returning to old ways and patterns and provokes me to serve others. All I can say is you’re missing out if you’re not living a life on grace.
“God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. “Romans 5:20
“And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved” Romans 11:6
“Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
The other morning, after our first night at raft camp, I am enjoying my breakfast with a fellow coworker in the cook shack. Along comes in one of our old timers who does maintenance around camp. He proceeds to sit down at the table with Kevin and I, greeting us both and offering an introduction to me. After our introduction, he asks me what my job was going to be for the summer. I inform him that my ultimate goal was to be a guide before the season is up, but until that time I was going to be driving the bus and working in the office. His response: "Nope, you don't have the upper body strength." As one would guess, my expression went from excited to "oh no you didn't!" real fast. I told him that with practice, I was confident in my ability to do the job. That response was followed by him challenging me to an arm wrestling match to prove my "upper body strength" abilities and then pretty much left after my refusal. My coworker just looked at me, wide-eyed to see my response because he was in shock as well at my encounter.
I got to thinking later that day and thought about how if my identity wasn't rooted in Christ and in the Word of God, I could let discouraging comments or remarks like that form my opinion of myself. The Bible says "I can do ALL things THROUGH CHRIST who gives me STRENGTH" Philippians 4:13 I am not going to listen to the opinions of those whose remarks are not rooted in the Word of God. I know who I am...I know my identity...I know what my Father in Heaven says about me. I encourage you as well to take a look at Scripture anytime someone speaks their opinion over you, just remember who you are to your Creator. Keep this idea in mind the next time you spout your feelings about someone> Make sure what you're saying is in line with what Scripture says (don't worry, I am working on that one myself...I think it will be a lifelong process). "Life and death are in the power of the tongue" so speak life and speak truth over people! Here is a little cheat sheet I found online regarding Scriptures referring to your identity in Christ...use it, pray it, BELIEVE IT! http://encouragingbiblequotes.com/verses2a.html
