Bay To Baie - January 7, 2014 South Carolina, 529 miles out from Mobile, 1428 miles to Baie Comeau PART 2

Bay To Baie -  January 7, 2014  South Carolina, 529 miles out from Mobile, 1428 miles to Baie Comeau

PART 2 - 6:16 a.m.

   Well, it was 19 degrees at our house by the time I finished my walk, and a pastor whom I greatly respect reported 15 at his home up the road a few miles.  Split the difference and we'll call it 17.  So, we got close!

    I had precisely the experience anticipated and mentioned earlier, in Part 1.  I layered on as many clothes as I could without hindering my gait.  The cold air greeted me nevertheless.  "Hello, I'm Mr. Freeze, and allow me to introduce my companion, Ms. Breeze.  We'll be with you on your journey this morning, and will attempt to make this as unpleasant as possible.  Have a nice walk!"

    It was.  Nice, that is.  I felt very cold at first, as expected.  The layers of clothes helped, of course, but they didn't completely shield me from the frigid air.  Within a few minutes, however, I felt the warmth from within that occurs when the body's circulation system kicks into high gear.  I love that sensation, first for the comfort it provides, and then, more importantly, for the spiritual analogy. 

    "I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you" (John 14:16-17).

    We live in a world that continually challenges our sense of peace and well being.  Mr. Freeze and Ms. Breeze approach us in countless ways, threatening us with far more than physical cold.  As God's trusting children in Christ, He calls us to prepare ourselves from without in the expectation of His comfort and assurance from within.  Indeed, just as we layer on earthly attire, our consistent reading and pondering of Scripture prepares us to face the elements of temptation and challenge.  "The entrance of Thy words giveth light" (Psalm 119:130).  Upon this basis, the indwelling Holy Spirit warms us from within, as it were, bringing to mind God's necessary assurance for whatever devilish, earthly, or fleshly element threatens us.  Our remembrance and affirmation of Scripture unites with the Spirit's confirmation of how secure we are in our Heavenly Father's loving providence.  We may still feel the cold somewhat in outward extremities, but deeply within our hearts, the circulation of God's living Word assures us of the truth of His written Word: "I am thy God.  I will strengthen thee, I will help thee, yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness" (Isaiah 41:10).

    Warmth from within.  It's a great feeling physically.  It's a far greater experience spiritually.  Let us therefore adorn ourselves with the written Word, consistently availing ourselves of this gift that makes possible awareness and apprehension of the living Word that dwells within us by the Holy Spirit.  The prophet Jeremiah concludes our "walk" by affirming both aspects of God's blessed Light provided through the Scriptures and the Spirit...

    "Thy words were found and I did eat them.  And Thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart" (Jeremiahs 15:16).

   

   

   

    Submission doesn't mean always understanding.  It means trusting and obeying...  I trust You, Jesus!