I remember the moment when my wife said yes.
I surprised her at her dorm to go on a picnic. We headed up to Whitewater Falls and hiked around to the top of the falls and climbed down a small embankment. I spread out the blanket on top of the rock and pulled out the Burger King meal we purchased on the way. (Don’t judge me. I didn’t want to spoil the surprise and make it too extravagant.)
The ring was burning a hole in my pocket, and all I could think about was dropping it accidentally over the edge of the falls. I set up a video camera, dropped to my knee, and totally forgot everything that I planned to say. With the mountains as a backdrop, I finally popped the question, and she said, “Yes!” As we walked back to the car, we carved our initials on a tree to capture the moment.
It was a defining moment.
Life is a series of defining moments.
Where were you? Where were you when God convicted you of your sin and you confessed Him as your Lord and were baptized? Where were you the day you accepted the call to missions or ministry? Where were you the day the doctor said those dreadful words that caused you to live your life with urgency? Where were you the day you shared Jesus with a friend the first time?
Who else was there?
The Lord uses us to steward the moments of others. Some are routine, and others are life-altering.
In that moment when you aren’t satisfied with where you are and realize the direction that God wants you to move, you will need a map to get there. Sometimes the map is tricky, and other times it is extremely clear. Simply put, the map reveals where you are, and the next steps you need to take to go where you want to be.
It takes more than a moment or a map to stand on the summit of the mountain that God is wanting you to take. You must start the climb. The higher the mountain, the greater the need for someone to walk with you to climb. Just ask anyone who has attempted to climb Mt. Everest.
Moment. Map. Mountain.
What mountain is God calling you to climb to advance the Great Commission? Who will lose the most if you don’t get started today? Who do you need to come alongside and help start the climb?
Since that day, we have returned to that tree and carved the initials of three little boys. They have had their own defining moments. God has given us the pleasure of helping steward them and pointing them to Jesus. Now, go have a moment.