Higher Ground

We left our favorite tropical island and headed north to a mountain resort in SE Asia to spend a week with like-minded people needing refreshment and relaxation.

Join the group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/989210794470089/

My time has been sweet, although alone most of the time. I'm along for this journey as grandmother and staff wife.
I'm able to tend a sleeping baby by sitting quietly on the patio and then, finish the morning strolling through a Botanical Garden waiting for baby's mom to return from class.
All this quiet time in the Creator's beauty gives me time for special reflections on passages read in the Daily Light on the Daily Path, a devotional I chose for 2016.
"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit..." Eph 1:13 and also, Col 1:27
Not only did his mercy forgive my sins on a cross, He also INCLUDED me in Christ and MARKED me in Him with a seal....
forever.
I am never alone.
I am in Christ.

I serve an awesome living God who calls me by name!

So now, I sit on a patio overlooking an in-ground pool which is much too cold for my preferences. It has a gorgeous setting of red-necked palm trees and tropical floral bushes combined with the reflection of the light blue sky dancing on it's surface. A soft breeze moves the wisps of hair around my face, and the red sweatshirt is just enough to ward off the morning chill.
I find such peace in this solace and enjoy such sweet fellowship in His Presence!

Our pilgrims' manual reminded me of our reason for ministry...God's mercy. We're simply here by His mercy to "lift feeble hands in praise, strengthen weak knees in prayer and encourage fearful hearts in practice" (Words in italics are my outline)

I have the wonderful ministry of sharing God's mercy!1 Peter 1:3ff
Relishing His Presence constantly and studying his Word, I'm renewed and refreshed, ready to go and encourage others..."Thus says the LORD, "Let your hands be strong, you who ...have been hearing these words of the prophets..." Zech 8:9

Deep in this thought, I gazed toward the horizon just in time to see a balloon lifted into the sky. It tugged at my homeward bound heart, causing me to look higher to the clouds. Not only has my Living God given me mercy, and sealed me with His Promise, He has also given me a blessed Hope of even Higher Ground, seated with Him in the heavens. Ephesians 2:6

So, we may have traveled to higher ground where the air is cooler and humidity lighter, but my heart also recognized my
longing to an even higher calling.
I'm still pressing on to "Higher Ground"...

My voice lifts in praise, filling tropical beauty

Someday soon...Luke 21:27

with the melody...
I'm pressing up to higher ground
New heights of joy in Him are found
Still praying as I'm homeward bound
Lord, plant my feet on Higher Ground.

Lord, lift me up and help me stand
By faith on Heavens table land
No higher plain than I have found
Lord, plant my feet on Higher Ground.