This is another entry from our trip to Colorado.
We had a little bit of free time after dinner the first day we were at the Lodge, so I read 1 Peter 2. This is the first of a couple of entries that will discuss this passage. I really dwelled on verses 2 and 3 for awhile: “like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.” (NASB) In other words, if we have experienced the kindness of the Lord, we should long for the spiritual nourishment of His word as a newborn baby longs for his mother’s milk. Just like a baby will only grow if he has his mother’s milk, we will only grow as Christians if we have God’s Word. That’s were I was at. I was experiencing the kindness of the Lord. The day before, I told you in my blog “Love From the Heart,” that God had showered His love upon me as I sat in my Prayer Garden. Then, although I only had 3 hours of sleep, I wasn’t sleepy as we drove 9 1/2 hours to Colorado. In fact, I was still going strong that night. On the way (pretty desolate stretch of highway), God gave us a beautiful snow shower that didn’t affect the roads. Although we were in a fairly old church van, it ran great. Once we got to the mountains (which we couldn’t see too well for the snow and clouds), we saw two “snow-capped” mule deer by the side of the road. When we got there, there was a nice warm fire and warm, friendly people to greet us. The Lodge was a beautiful, serene place to be. After our first session, I looked out the window and there were several elk grazing in the field closeby. Our host said that was a rare treat. After all of this, I just couldn’t resist spending time in God’s Word. Can you imagine my joy when I read that passage. I had been tasting the kindness of the Lord all day, and where did I end up? In His Word, spending time with Him. I normally spend time with God early in the morning, but at that moment I had a longing for being with Him in His Word. My heart was full of worship. Words cannot describe how good and free I felt at that moment. What was the result? I grew in my salvation and knowledge of who God is - just like the passage said I would.
By the way, I tasted the kindness of the Lord all weekend. The next day was my birthday and I can’t imagine a better place to spend it. When I got up (I made myself stay in bed until 5:30 to keep from waking others up, though I had been awake praying and worshipping in my heart most of the night), the sun was shining and I discovered that we had an incredible view of Pike’s Peak! Even though it was about 20 degrees F, I took a short hike and breathed the fresh mountain air. I stayed outside a good hour. I don’t know how many pictures I took of the mountain. Even though I have seen Pike’s Peak many times, it was like seeing an old friend that I had not seen in a long time. For me, the mountains offer a refuge and a place where I can spend time with God like no other place I have ever found.
How about you? Have you tasted the kindness of the Lord? Do you crave the nourishment of His Word? Put God first and see if He doesn’t shower you with His loving kindness. May you taste the kindness of the Lord today!
