The middle of the River

So I had a bit of a rough weekend. Nothing happened that was really to blame, but the weekend combined with a mildly annoying Monday (sounds like someone has a case of the Mondays…). I decided early in the day that I needed some time to myself and God. Ever since Dan spoke on my DTS about hanging out with God, I have wanted to come to a place where I can set aside a few hours each week to just hang out with God. This was around May, and until this Monday I have not done that.

After a few hours at work, I decided I had to get out. So I got off work and went home and got some food, and then grabbed my climbing gear. I threw on some swimming trucks and my sunglasses and jumped in the car. I hit the road and drove across the river and down to a little area on the James called Pony Pastures. Its a section of “rapids” on the James and just happens to have a 15 foot granite wall, perfect for climbing. I got all my gear in my bag and set out down the path next to the river. Just a walk before going climbing. I was just hanging out with God. I found a place where I could get out onto the river where there are large rocks. These rocks are large enough and close enough for you to get out into the middle of the river. There was a fair amount of people there, but I just went out.

I sat on a rock and just hung out. I had the idea, I should go ahead and read some Scriptures. I pulled my backpack off and realized I hadn’t put my Bible in my bag. So then I figure, “Well, I will just go ahead and journal a little bit.” I take a look in my bag for a notebook, but it was not there. In that moment I heard Jesus just telling me, “Just chill. Just hang out.”

In the moment I got a glimpse of what it means to truely hang out with God. I was just hanging out, not praying or speaking with God. Just hanging out. When I got home, I felt more refreshed then I had for a long time.

~ by Alex W. on October 25, 2007.