The Mountains Are CallingSample

God’s Open Invitation

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.

PSALM 139:14 NKJV

Prayer relieves our stress and revives our purpose. It’s genuine “God and me” time. It’s a chance for us to get clear about where we are in our lives and where we’re going, and to listen for some quiet instruction on how to get there. Ideas arise while honest, thoughtful communication takes place without distraction or interruption. It’s our time to get raw and real with God and to come away feeling calmed and loved.

God knows us better than anyone else does and loves us better than anyone else can. We need to be reminded of that as often as possible. While we see Him in people, in creation, and in the miracles around us, it’s powerful to just sit and be in His presence. There’s a fullness of joy there that isn’t found anywhere else. If we intertwine prayer with something we love—a nature walk, music that inspires us, a bike ride, gardening, writing, or painting—we experience God’s presence even more deeply.

What we love has everything to do with the One who knit every part of our being together with thought and intention. We must not overlook our unique qualities and the gifts we’ve been given! God has given them to us, and He is glorified through them. Get away and be quietly held in God’s love today.

Do what you love for a little while and listen to the still, small voice inside you. It will encourage your gifts, give you direction, and remind you that you’re priceless. Peace will refresh you and joy will reenergize you. All the good stuff is in the presence of God, where all the world’s stuff fades away. It’s a life-giving trade-off—and a soul-soothing, spirit-lifting open invitation from God every single day.

Dear God, You’ve given me gifts for Your glory and a deep desire to use them. Renew in me the vision You have for my life and give me the courage to pursue it.