We just returned from Colorado. We spent a week at Wind River Ranch in Estes Park, Colorado.
One word...AMAZING!
I must confess that while I wasn't dreading the trip, I wasn't totally stoked for it. You see, it's not a beach and I don't ride horses and mountain climbing is really not my thing and...
Well, let's just say I had to get out of the boat and getting out of the boat never felt so good.
I learned a lot about myself.
I did ride horses almost every day and while I don't think I'll be pushing to go out and buy a horse or find one to ride (as I'm still a little sore in places:), I loved the experience of riding through the mountains and learning about their nature. I loved seeing the relationship between the wranglers and the horses and loved hearing the story of how they liken getting a horse to submit is like us submitting to God.
I did climb a mountain and the smallest one was good enough for me. I decided that I was not one who had to stand at the top to appreciate God's beauty. Rather, I could observe it from afar and know that the one who created me also created the mountains surrounding me. It's similar to the ocean and me...I don't have to go in to know it's there. I just love the beauty of it.
But it was so much more than about horses and mountains.
For one week, we lived in the world in which God planned for us to live. It was perfect!
We didn't have to worry about a thing. We were served and the people who were serving us were happy to be doing so. We never had to worry about our kids because they were with people who were truly gifted in taking care of them or quite honestly, they could just run free. There was no fear of anything bad happening to them because we were in this "perfect" world. There were no keys to the doors because there was no need to lock your door. You just felt safe because of the people you were around. There was no drinking, no cussing, no rude or lewd behavior, no fighting among kids, no fighting among spouses. I never once saw kids disrespect their parents.
While I was ready to get home, reality hit me as I dropped off our rental car at the airport when a mom just lit into her daughter for putting her medication into her baggage that got checked. She yelled at her so loud that I'm sure the people on the mountain tops could hear. And then I knew...we were not at the ranch anymore.
Cali and I were watching people come off the airplane in Denver and I commented, "these people don't look like the people at the ranch." and she said, "they don't have joy on their faces."
That was it.
It was so evident that the people at the ranch were true followers by their joy!
Ephesians 4-5 kept coming to my mind during the week.
What I loved is that most people had a story and it was often one that you could relate to whether it be past sin or illness or struggles that told how Christ came in and changed their lives.
Ephesians 4:21-24 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
Another thing I loved is that there were no denominations. Unless you asked where someone went to church, you had no idea if they were Baptist, Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist or whatever. You just knew they were a Christian and you could tell by they way they acted...by their fruit.
Matthew 7:20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.
Ephesians 4:4-6 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.
John 15:7-9 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.
Ephesians 5:3-9 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
Clearly the people at the ranch knew God's word and lived this way. It was as breathtaking as the view.
I would have loved to have stayed in that perfect world but I think the trip was to give me a glimpse of what heaven will be like. We as believers are supposed to go out into the dark world and shine our light so that non-believers will come to the light.
As I saw almost immediately after stepping foot off the ranch, we have our work cut out for us but we are fully equipped and the rewards are great.
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