Pitch Your Tent

Pitch your tent.

A random phrase that just popped within my mind the second week here while with my team here at our wonderful adobe.

Here’s some background context behind pitching my tent.

Our host rented out a house which is literally in the same little private drive they stay at. So, we’re right across from them. Literal walking distance. It’s a pretty nice and fairly spacious place that’s two stories with a terrace/accessible rooftop. All the ladies stay in the master bed area together and Aaron and I share a room together. Well we did at first. We all have beds with mattresses so it is a pretty comfy set up. All was great until I received the words “pitch your tent”. I kind of ignored it for a while but it began to become more consistent until I finally said alright I’ll pitch my tent!

(Side Note: This isn’t a normal everyday set up while here on the race. Sometimes we’re blessed with accommodations like this other times we’re roughing it one way or the other.)

So, here I am till this day sleeping in my tent up on the roof while everyone else is cozy within there soft, warm, comfy beds. It’s not too bad up here though. It’s actually very nice. I usually have my rain fly off so I can see the brilliant night sky and the volcano, Fuego, erupting occasionally in the distance. It’s quite mesmerizing.

Sweet quality alone time with God at night while He spoils me with His splendor within creation. I’m still not quite sure exactly why He wanted me to pitch my tent and sleep outside on the roof but I just decided to be obedient. Which is always the best choice. I do know it’s for the sake of abandonment. Abandoning comfort to have this time with the Father. So far it’s been quite nice.

I fall asleep to sunsets and wake up (well try to) to sunrises. I see Fuego’s brilliant red lava burst heavenward into the night sky and pillars of smoke bellowing out during the day. I fall asleep starring out into the deep vastness of space as Orion’s belt twinkles and swiftly fades away as I sink into a peaceful slumber. I awaken to the birds mimicking the sounds around it and a loud truck horn blaring as someone says something in Spanish over the loud speaker over yonder then gradually draws closer and closer as the sun rises higher and higher.

This is just a snippet into my sweet time living up here on the terrace.

As I gaze at Fuego day and night I’m reminded of this piece of scripture.

“The LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they may travel by day and by night.”

Exodus 13:21

At this moment Israel was released from the oppression of Pharaoh in Egypt and headed to the promise land which was on the other side of the Red Sea. During this whole journey God guided them and protected them as both a pillar of cloud and pillar of fire until they reached the other side of the Sea and into the promise which laid before them. (Well until they were left wandering the wilderness for 40 years before they actually went into the promise land but still). Point is.

It reminds me how our faithful Father still to this day guides us, protects us and provides for us on this journey into the promise He has laid out for each and every one of us.

The song from Elevation Worship “Do It Again” describes God’s faithfulness and promises so well.

Walking around these walls
I thought by now they’d fall
But You have never failed me yet

Waiting for change to come
Knowing the battle’s won
For You have never failed me yet

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I’m still in Your hands
This is my confidence
You’ve never failed me yet

I know the night won’t last
Your word will come to pass
My heart will sing Your praise again

Jesus You’re still enough
Keep me within Your love, oh
My heart will sing Your praise again
(Oh, yes, it will)

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I’m still in Your hands
This is my confidence
You’ve never failed

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I’m still in Your hands
This is my confidence
You’ve never…

---

 

Abba is breaking me. Uprooting some deep rooted things within me. It’s here on the roof top where my afflictions are laid bare and He meets me where I’m at. In a safe place where His tenderness gently pulls my heart strings to reveal and abolish the filthy lies that have seeped deeply within my soul, unbeknownst to me. I’m still walking thru this. It’s fresh. Something I’ve ignored for a long time. Yet it’s necessary for growth to happen and for me to walk in His promises without restraint. Freely made whole and holy. For I am His and He is mine. Vulnerability begets vulnerability so I ask you pray for me and walk with me as I unravel and reveal all that our loving, gracious Father does during this time.

 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 31:8

“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

Genesis 28:15

If the LORD ask you to pitch your tent, will you?