The View from the Top in 2015
We have an amazing view in our backyard. It looks up at a gorgeous California rolling mountain. I’ve been longing to get to the top of it so I could see the landscape from it...you know, our house, neighborhood, and even all of Santa Rosa, and Sonoma County. My challenge, however, is that I didn’t have good directions for getting there. This mountain is part of Annadel State Park and there isn’t a route to the top on the map...there’s many other routes, even to the top of several other mountains, but none existed for the one that beckoned me,
“Come up here, see the landscape from my vantage point, you will be amazed.” My daughter and her British husband, Luke, came for Christmas this year. New Year’s Eve day, they surprised me with an invitation to go on a hike with them--to the very mountain to which I felt drawn. Luke is a great navigator, and he had found a way to the top.
Finding our Way to the Top
We started off...but there were obstacles:
- It was the windiest day of the year in Santa Rosa.
- The trail was muddy from the 17 inches of rain we experienced in December.
- The trail wasn’t clear at times, and we found ourselves going around the mountain, but not up to it.
Finally, when I was on the verge of letting out a pretty big whine; Luke decided we should find a path to the top ourselves. We found a place that looked as if we could navigate through the plethora of trees and started up.
The wind got more intense as we climbed.
We weren’t sure we were on a route that would work.
My legs felt wobbly.
It was at that point, I sensed the Lord making an invitation to me.
“Tamara, do you want to see the world as I see it? I want to give you my vantage point.”
We pushed our way to the top, seeking to stay upright as the wind sought to push us over.
We got there.
It was stunning.
We could see for miles.
We saw our red tile roof and the neighborhood around it.
We even saw the cross landmark in Santa Rosa.
I literally felt on top of the world!
My New Year’s Focus Theme
The next day was New Year’s 2015. Every year, on New Year’s Day, the Lord gives me a specific theme of what he wants to focus on with me. Last year it was the Power of our Agreement as it helps to close the gap between God’s promises and our experiences. It was an amazing year as I saw many breakthroughs take place as I agreed with God’s Word over my current circumstances.
I woke up early, on New Year’s Day eager to sit with him, eager to discover the hidden treasurehe had for me.
It didn’t take long.
My invitation for 2015 was to Explore New Horizons with him.
However, these won’t be found in any earthy mountains.
He wants to open my eyes to the kingdom reality all around us.
Our Invitation to Reign
Here’s our reality.
Our identity is as beloved children in our heavenly father’s family.
But, we are also called heirs….heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. Romans 8:17
Our inheritance is to reign with Christ on his throne.
Yes, I know this sounds very ethereal.
It takes faith to believe it.
But, Ephesians 2:6 states, “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.”
When I first began to realize the importance of my invitation to the throne, I was praying one day and a picture came into my mind of me and Jesus on his throne. It was really big. I was small….about 7 years old. Jesus looked at me and turned and straightened my crown.
I sensed him saying,
“You are young in reigning with me, but don’t worry about making a mistake, I’ve got you covered.”
So, if this invitation scares you or overwhelms you, no need to fear. Jesus is right there, ready, anxious, anticipating his great joy, in training us for our kingdom role.
Accepting the Invitation to Reign
2015 is an important year. It’s not time for business as usual.
It’s TIME for us to STEP up into Reclaiming our Identity, Lives, and Destinies so we can PARTNER with the King of the Universe.
Obstacles will get in your way.
- The winds will blow.
- The map may not exist.
- Your spiritual muscles may shake from lack of use.
- You may go around the mountain a few times before you find your way to the Top!
But, none of these obstacles are big enough to keep Jesus from training us--to actually partnering with us, as together we establish his kingdom on earth.
Here’s the deal: It starts with accepting the invitation.
Heather and Luke made an invitation for me to join them on the hike.
I had a choice.
- Would I reject it and choose to stay in my comfort instead?
- Or, would I join their adventure, endure a little discomfort, but experience a heavenly encounter on the journey.
I chose the adventure. I hope you will too.
2015 is going to be a great adventure for all of us who choose to say yes to our heavenly invitation to reign on the throne and see the world through King Jesus’ heavenly vantage point. That is what the Scriptures mean when they say,
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)
Will you accept his invitation?