Honey in the Rock

Between the mountains and the valleys there is a vastness. Often an emptiness, a deadness, a deserted place of longing and waiting.

A death happened and there has been no resurrection. No new life to speak of. Maybe some resurrections take longer than a few days?

From the lows of Spearfish Canyon to the snow covered peaks of the Big Horn Mountains the barren land cries out, and so does the sorrowful song bird looking for a nest.

How long O’Lord cries the soul, one’s spirit, and the plaguing thoughts of the mind. What now?

For what do we wait? A new spring? Birth of new life? Another sunrise or sunset? The barren land cries forth a birth only the God of heavens can bring. 

Although there is an expectation of new life, each spring is different, each one is new, and each birth carries its’ own labor and delivery.

When the midwife runs who tarries for life, but the moon and the sun. The wind, and the rain. For the barren land cries of pain. 

Pain of loss. Pain of betrayal. Pain of loneliness. Pain of trauma caused by the thieves and wolves who deceived the purity of one’s heart.

For deception and manipulation is what man does with the land he’s been called to steward. For he’s opened the door to the enemy. To power, to influence. Nature is not fooled, nor is the Just Judge.

So what do you do? You wait. You be, you stay hidden in thee. For in the vastness. The hiddenness of waterfalls, the steams still run.

Streams don’t run from anything in particular but downward at a pace and flow that God controls. The depths of darkness only the soul knows. It’s a slow transformation of beauty the eye can see if one takes the time to look and listen. Listen to the quiet for it always speaks.

Of course man and nature can both dam up a stream, but water is a natural divine force that brings forth life no matter the obstruction, kill, or obstacles attempting to stop the flow.

For the land between the mountains and valleys is for pioneers, not posers . Pioneers go forth. They don’t need the likes of the crowd, they take refuge in the shelter of the wing of God almighty.

They know the strength of the soaring eagle, the little whisper of the trees, and the fiercest big bear. They do not fear the darkened hidden path nor do they fear solitude or being unseen.

In the twists and the turns of the peaks and valleys, the hard to walk places they keep steadfast on the one who created such beauty. 

Often God lets things burn down to the stump even if a tree gave life. Sometimes it’s a controled burn, and other times lighting strikes the forest. It comes suddenly with shock and awe, and a whole lot of shining light.

Either way God knows the torch of that heart burn which took every thing out in its’ path. The fire strips the land to death. From a fruitful life to scorch land with nothings left, but ash. He allows it, and lets it, for only He can spring forth new life from the ash. (Is 61:3)

Along the way you see the bison, the cattle, the pronghorns, and prairie dogs, who tear up the soil with their burrows, underground tunnels, and holes. They have all found a way to exist and live in the land together. Each having a territory they call their own. 

I imagine at times there is a battle for authority of territory. Good and evil both exist in the land. 

Without the lion, and the bear, there would be no warrior heart to face Goliath. One smooth stone washed by the rushing water of the river bed took his death down and sent freedom forth in motion. Victory for all to see! (1 Sam 17:26-50)

Between Dead Horse Creek, Crazy Woman Road, and the waters of Wild Horse Creek you wonder where the adventure goes out in the wilderness.

The hues of the trees, and the whistling of the leaves fear not the change of color. The landscape of vibrant color lines the river bed of the coming death. 

And in the pumps of oil which they call black gold you know you will not sell out to anything or anyone but the one who created true gold. For freedom lives in integrity and humility of heart and in Him alone. A call from heaven is gold, a name in neon lights can never give.

Above one can see the heavens and puffy clouds, the ray of His son, and the warmth of His love as new life comes. 

For in death and in life judgement comes. Oh…He comes how He comes. But He comes. Just as His word says. All will be judged. (2 Corinthians 5:10)

To be held hostage to the elements of His creation we call nature or His love is the only hostage to be held. For anything else is a lie, a disorder, corruption, and that’s not love or truth, but the Judas kiss that put dear Jesus on the cross. 

Abraham did not find his promise in walls or programs of the religious. He surely did not. He found great faith in walking out the wildnesses to what was unknown to him. Only God knew what would come to pass and the manna that would fall. (Gen 12:1-4)

Today pharaohs and pharisees still exist with followers of them alike. You can stay with them, the crowed, group think or walk out your promise. It’s your choice. Yours alone.

Oh Lord create in us the steadfast faith of original pioneers like your sons, Abraham, Moses, John the Baptist. Women like Ruth, Deborah, Esther, and the converted sinner like St. Paul.

Only God could move them into their promise land and leave behind what was comfortable. 

Do you believe that’s true?

Then why did you hide in the crowd when they beat your Lord? Where was your trust? Why did you sell out on status in the crowd? Is that not modern day silver? Clicks, likes, popularity, bragging rights of who’s who and who knows who? Who’s stage left and whose stage right?

Deception is a tricky tactic. It’s the shiny thing. It does not come not with horns or an alarm bell, but as the shiny twists of truths. It’s slippery, it distorts, and it twists reality and truth. But when mentioned you hear don’t focus on the enemy. Only a warrior was trained differently. (John 8:44)

Remember Jesus used a donkey. The Kingdom of God is not one of popularity, it’s for the ass – the foolish. The one who will flip a religious table or two and get tossed out onto the cross!

But in the end the Father is no fool. He knows all. He is saddened, but not shocked. It was a test. Some passed, many did not. (Ex 13-14) Truth always wins.

Ultimately God knows of gentle, but powerful resurrections that happen not on the cross, but in the cave of hidden places. For only the Father rolls away the stone.

It was Mary Magdalene who saw His gloried presence in the garden. Perhaps it’s because she was free from demons that she could stand before Him and not run from glory.

For promise and resurrection never come in wishing for justice, but in small, simple obedience to His will and relationship to one’s first love – HIM.

And in the promise of true love there will be always be honey in the rock, and water in the stone.

Therefore, there there is no need to worry no matter where I go just as the song and scripture goes. (Deu 32:13-14)

There will be HONEY in the ROCK