Living out and away from the "congested" part of town and the crossroads to America, we liked the quiet life in the country community. Our walks took us out to the historical marker outside of the tiny hamlet. It was exactly a six mile walk and in that we could easily claim the 12 mile accomplished in about an hours time.
While my husband worked, I remained home to see our daughter was on the bus for her ride to the next little hamlet for school. When the breakfast dishes had been cleaned up and the beds made, I would suit up for a cold brisk walk with two lady friends to that historical marker. So, regularly I was marking out a path of exercise to keep my body healthy.
On our drive out of the "tiny hamlet" one day, not long after we had moved there, our daughter exclaimed we were passing that "hysterical marker". I corrected her, speaking out loud "historical marker." She asked what the difference was in the two words.
Trying to turn toward her from the front seat, I explained the difference. My husband just laughed quietly, but I continued on with explaining the difference.
The meaning of hysterical is out of control emotions. Can produce crying in this extreme emotion of a person. It was noted as "uncontrollable". Also listed as in a situation in which many people behave or react in an extreme or uncontrolled way because of fear, anger, etc.
The meaning for "historical" is this: belonging to or a typical study of history. Concerned with events of the past, based on factual material distinct from legend or supposition. Relating to some event marked at a location to show some prominence to a specific occurrence, people involved, etc.
From that day on, we would pass by "that marker" and refer to it as an hysterical marker.
Now the MARKER in question was set for the area of the Tongue River. It had served as a trail and stage coach road crossing. It was known as the Bozeman Trail and it was a road, if you please, that took man to the Montana gold fields. It had its beginnings in 1864. This well-planned effort had to cut through Powder River Basin. Oh yes, and it certainly violated the Fort Laramie Treaties which was held originally as tribal land for the Northern Plain Tribes.
It was under the leadership of a James A. Sawyers to build the road to Montana. There was upheaval, and the Araphao tribe brought in a "war party" to stop the Sawyer's encampment. But progress continued. Yes, that Trail came into being as General Patrick Connor took to his orders readily. Military protection had to come and keep some kind of peace.
It was between 1879 through the year of 1895 that a post office appeared. Yeah, wonder who delivered the mail? Probably the Pony Express delivered it!
Then the stage line station served the Rock Creek Stage Line. It was some 400 mile line that ran from the location of Rock Creek on the U.P.Railroad in southern Wyoming to Billings, Montana.
It served the people till 1890 when a variety of much shorter stage routes had come into existence. You know people scout out the quicker, yes the faster way to get from point A to point B. And its days came to an end.
In respect to those who knew the land as home, they came into some emotional and probably hysterical pain of tears and most likely death. What had been given them changed to accommodate the one holding more power.
We find a "marker" set by God when He went with the people. Read here in Exodus 13.
Exodus 13:17-22
17 Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, "Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt." 18 So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt. 19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had placed the children of Israel under solemn oath, saying, "God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here with you." 20 So they took their journey from Succoth and camped in Etham at the edge of the wilderness. 21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. 22 He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people. NKJV
That pillar of a cloud marked that God was with His people. He was their guard both in front and from the rear.
Exodus 14:19-20
19 And the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them. 20 So it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel. Thus it was a cloud and darkness to the one, and it gave light by night to the other, so that the one did not come near the other all that night. NKJV
God had taken these people the long way around. Yes, they could have gotten to the place planned for them, but God had to test hearts, and any battle for some is found in their weakness to submit to the old ways. But as believer's with a real trust in God must change, and grow up in Christ. God wants to enlarge our capacity to work with Him. Remember He is God! You cannot put Him in a box!
These people who had seen God do the miraculous and freed them from that slave driven force of Pharaoh, now faced a more hideous schemer, the one located between the two ears of every believer. We should sincerely be God focused.........with a lazer ability to keep and know Him to keep with what He has planned for us.
But returning to "old patterns" of thinking, the focus shifts to "security". And sometimes it is because the man or woman fears. Instead of FAITH, doubt takes over, the man or woman then is limited in an ability to step into what God has called them to.
The signs and wonders of the past
can actually hinder our future if we righteously cling to them! We require no "stage coach" lines today. We can get from point A to point B in just minutes with all that horse-power under the hood. And you can see some get really "angered" and see road rage take over a person just while driving from Point A to Point B.
God our Father is not limited, nor is He weak or tottering for His last breath. He is God Almighty. He is the Everlasting Father and the Amen to our situations. Our security should reside in Him and not in another person or thing. When we hold onto things to keep our position, or security, we will find out one day, that a whole life wasted on just being secure was not worth it. A life devoted God brings us to a new adventure and a fruitfulness that He is pleased with. Our faith is to expand just like Jesus' did. His trust was not in things or keeping His position secure, it was about giving everything over to the Father. Our identity must be in Him!
What God had provided as manna and the pillar of His presence will still be with us. The giants we face is not the other person, but our belief in who they are to us and if they have come to take away our security. It is what we desire to hold on to instead of reaching to touch other lives because of Him. If we are not bringing attention to him, then why not?
Everyone has a significant role to play in this adventure. It is time to put away that which is not beneficial to growth in the Lord. That anti-christ does not care how long you take to get yourself moving for God. In fact, you could probably take all your life to get ready, but we should be acting now and taking action requires no baggage on board.
God is for us. He is not against us. He has done all He was going to do. Now He waits to see what we will do.
Will we make a mark of historical value for the kingdom of God or will be just an "hysterical" marker of one living out of the emotions and falling short in security? Today we decide.
I HAVE A NEW WEB SITE AVAILABLE NOW WITH OTHER CURRENT BLOGS AND YOUTUBE TEACHINGS. I INVITE YOU TOO CHECK IT OUT. THERE IS A PRAYER REQUEST SECTION ON THE SITE.
Notice:
The Voice of Prayer has a new teaching published:
Divine Grace for Healing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KIS-AHDA1g
You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV
.
Awesome word!
ReplyDeleteAwesome word!
ReplyDelete