Explain why Jeremiah said [in 29:11-13] walking with God is so much wiser and personally fulfilling than asking God to walk with us.
“God‘s plans are to prosper us and give us hope and a future.”
“Father, what are those golden treasure boxes on certain days?”
“Blessings, My child, I had for you along the way. Those that are open are those you received. Those still closed were days you did not walk with Me.”
“(3/20/14 – See my golden treasure box story on page 164)”
Assuming he already knew where [Adam and Eve] were, and why they were hiding, why do you think God asked the question [“Where are you?”]?
“He was trying to draw them out of hiding and begin a serious conversation with them.”
Read 2 Corinthians 2:14. Why should we walk God’s way instead of ours?
“God’s way is best – it is a ‘triumphal procession in Christ,’ and it spreads the knowledge of Him.”
What do you think setting our “hearts on pilgrimage” means?
“I think it means focusing our thoughts, time, energy, etc. on our journey through this life heading toward heaven, rather than getting distracted by things of this world.”
How often do you remind yourself that we are on a journey to glorious heavenly city? “frequently”
We may go from trial to trial, but according to Psalm 84:7, we also go from “strength” to “strength”!
When was the last time you felt that everything in your life was quaking except the stability you had in Christ?
“I don’t know if my life has ever felt that rocked. Maybe that first day of college or possibly the day (11/1/92) we found out I was pregnant.”
His wisdom and knowledge rub off on us little by little. We often think of blessings in tangible terms, but wisdom is an intangible blessing of infinite worth. Wisdom is knowing what to do with what you know.
What does Isaiah 47:10 tell us about human wisdom and knowledge?
“They mislead people.”
What did Christ say in Matthew 6:33?
“‘Seek first His kingdom, and His righteousness…’”
What did Christ say about “each day” in Matthew 6:34?
“Each day will have enough trouble of its own – wait to worry about tomorrow until tomorrow.”
What is your biggest temptation when you don’t feel that God is illuminating your way clearly?
“For me, it is probably to not decide, both out of fear of choosing wrong and out of laziness. It’s easier to stay where I am and stagnate until I feel a clear calling, but I don’t tend to keep pestering Him in prayer for an answer either.”
Dearest Rachel –
I have to admit, I wonder what you considered to be frequent in terms of thinking about our pilgrimage to the great heavenly city you now call home. Was it daily, as you filled in this and other studies (or would it have been more like a couple times a week as you rushed to fill several days in at a time as certain days got away from you)? Was it weekly, as we worshiped and served in church? After all, there were (and still are) plenty of times where the topic of discussion has more to do with how we live life here on earth than in the hereafter; while it all leads to that, it’s more of a distant, literal afterthought.
I confess that, for my part, even though I have those thoughts in front of me on a daily basis, even by dint of writing to you as often as I do, I find myself almost deliberately setting them aside in order to go about my life down here, dealing with those ‘distractions’ rather than dwell on that still-distant future too much. There is an expression about certain people being “so heavenly-minded that they’re no earthly good”; I don’t want to be that person.
Of course, that may well mean that I’m casting myself as Martha when I could have “the better portion,” like Mary (and possibly Daniel). I realize that by focusing on this world, I may be missing out on some of God’s treasures, but I also note that inertia results in one not opening those chests just as well. At least I’m taking an active role in what I’m doing; hopefully, if I’m headed in the wrong direction, God will come alongside me at some point to nudge me toward the way He wants me to go. By contrast, while you can point someone toward the correct direction, if they aren’t moving, they won’t get any closer to where they need to be. It’s a harsh assessment, I know, but I challenge anyone to argue otherwise.
And while I can’t push anyone else in such a direction (indeed, since I’m not entirely sure of my own direction, who am I to instruct anyone else?), I can be responsible for myself. And so, here I am; here I go. Keep an eye on me, honey, and wish me luck. I’m going to need it.
Letters to Rachel 