spiritual mile markers...

This past friday I had one of those surreal moments when you think to yourself... How did I get here?!? The Pittsburgh Kids Foundation was having an "Office Warming" party to celebrate their move to their new offices on Federal Street right next to PNC Park. It was a great cook-out filled with college stories, turkey burgers, and winding up little kids. That night was Fireworks Night for the Pirates so we got to lounge on the rooftop and watch the breathtaking display light up the sky and feel it thunder in our chests! I sat there with some of my closest friends and shared my disbelief of the fortune we had to experience such an event. It felt like we were on an episode of MTV Cribs or something like that. It's funny how being in a moment like that gave us a sense that we somehow reached a pinnacle. Being on top of a building in the middle of the city made us feel important and valued and inspired us to just laugh. That night we were on top of the world... and like always, it was short lived. The next morning reminded me of my true reality when I wrestled with the rose bush engulfing my backyard. Important people who partied on top of buildings weren't supposed to toil over landscaping. 

I think people who are continually trying to follow Christ experience these same kinds of moments. I know we all have moments where we feel like we've reached a new level in our relationship with God. Maybe it was a result of a message someone taught that shook you to the core and inspired you to go and do something. Maybe it was when you were worshipping and the words you'd been singing for so long finally made sense. Maybe it was in the quiet of silence where God revealed something inside of you that was hiding for a long,...long time. Maybe it was the face of someone after you sacrificially gave of yourself  to them. We all have moments in our journey that leave a mark. Spiritual mile markers. Moments when we realize that our current state has nothing to do with what we did but, it is a result of what God is doing in and through us. Spiritual moments when God gets our attention and gives us a new perspective. These moments change our lives. These moments... set the course of our lives in a new direction and the ramifications could never be comprehended. 

Unfortunately these moments fade... and many times are short lived. Reality hits and we are reminded of the mess the next morning. Inspiration withers... and motivation dies. We often forget the importance of mapping out our mile markers. There is great power in remembering where you've been and what God has brought you out of. When I look back and think of where I have been... it gives me an overwhelming realization that God has yet to let me down. God has seen me through so much and He will continue to do so. He does this for all of His children...we just need to look back and see it. 

So, my question to you is this... when was the last time you took a moment to remember your spiritual mile markers? How did those moments flip your world upside down? And how will the fact that God has always been faithful change your perspective on whatever is going on in your life right now? Life is full of moments on the rooftops and moments when the rose bushes slow you down... but that will never change the fact that you are his beloved and it never will!