High Places

Justin and I took a much needed retreat this past weekend to Red River Gorge. It was so nice to be away, to breathe fresh air, and to draw near to God. Venturing off on a hike on Saturday, we began to unpack a lot of the grief, anger, and disappointment of the past month. We’re just beginning to sort out all the rubble, but we’re seeing progress in little ways as God is bringing healing and perspective. As we climbed we reminisced about Hannah Hurnard’s Hinds Feet on High Places; a beautifully written allegory that tells the story of “Much Afraid” following the “Shepherd” to high places.

Seems like lately we’re relating alot with Much Afraid’s character. She had to lay down the deepest desires of her heart in order to follow the Chief Shepherd where He wanted her to go. Along the way she was terrified, angry, distraught, and perplexed at the painful trials that beset her along the path He called her to walk. But, even in the midst of her fears she choose to put her little paw in His hand, and trust in the kind and good character of her Shepherd.

On Saturday night, we laid our hearts before our Good Shepherd and expressed to Him that we wanted to trust Him on this journey that has turned out so differently than we ever anticipated. And we told Him that if our adoption fell through tomorrow and He chose to never give us children that we would still love Him. On the table also lay our shattered hopes and dreams for heading back overseas this year. Plans for family, ministry, and life are no longer ours. And we asked the Good Shepherd a fresh to lead our lives because He knows far better how to navigate this journey than we do.

None of us knows what a day will hold, but we can take heart that as children of the Good Shepherd, He will lead and guide us for His Name’s Sake. As Psalm 23 declares, following Him in trust dispels all our fears simply by knowing that every step of the journey He is with us. In His wisdom, He knows what kind of path is best for every sheep in His care. This knowledge has brought real and lasting comfort to us lately. We’re so thankful we can rest in the Good Shepherd’s arms.


Psalm 23:

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.