We just held our first ONLINE version of the Disciple Thought Leader Retreat. And Wow. A complete wow.
But that isn’t what I want to focus on. I want to focus on The Second Wow.
That’s not to say that the first Wow was any less. It is once again stunning to me–the results of gathering a group of diverse women with different backgrounds and interests BUT who all focused on using their talents and gifts for Him. The resulting spiritual, mental, and emotional learning was profound.
We had one particular experience together that literally shifted my soul in that very moment. But that’s not the Wow I want to focus on. It’s what happened after.
In a word, it’s been the pushback. I’ve seen this pattern repeated so often I should put it on a pillow, but it still comes as a surprise. Monday came with a vengeance and didn’t stop until the only thing I wrote in my gratitude journal was, “I’m so grateful for my many blessings and that this day is DONE.”
This is a familiar pattern for those focused on upleveling. A woman feels the divine discontent–the rumble to do and be more in His way. Then the path is opened. And it’s equal parts exciting and scary–sometimes a little more scary. And then the faith step comes and the deep breath of “Can I do this?” Then she takes that breath and that faith step and the unseen bridge appears. Relief, joy, and understanding flood the soul. It’s almost unspeakable. Energized reverence and soul fulfillment at its peak.
And then comes the crash.
The unexpected wall, frustration, and difficulty that are specific to her.
In 2019 a rockfall in Dolores, Colorado caused a 8,500,000 boulder to land smack dab in the highway. Boom. Pushback is like that. A personalized rock in the road.
So, what to do?
On this particular boulder, the Colorado engineers analyzed, wondered, surveyed, and ultimately came to the conclusion it would be more cost effective to simply build around it. So they did. And for an added chutzpah of We Won’t Be Stopped, they named it Memorial Rock and turned it into a state attraction.
Dealing with pushback is like that.
Sometimes after an amazing, life-shifting experience we get a 8,500,000 boulder dropped in our path. And sometimes, we just have to make a highway around it.
“And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted.” Isaiah 49:11
Beautifully, I was reminded yesterday that it’s all okay, because this is part of the package deal. Don’t worry, don’t stress, don’t stop because of a rock in the road. From Jeffrey R. Holland: “Once there has been genuine illumination, beware the temptation to retreat from a good thing. If it was right when you prayed about it and trusted it and lived for it, it is right now. Don’t give up when the pressure mounts . . . Don’t give in. Master your fears. ‘Cast not away therefore thy confidence.’ Stay the course and see the beauty of life unfold for you.”
Waking up this morning I felt this so fully. God graciously blesses us with the Wow experiences in our lives. And, watch for The Second Wow.
Best,
If you’d like to know more about these life-changing Retreats, please visit: Disciple Thought Leaders Retreat
