Divine Appointments
Golden Gate State Park—Mule Deer Trail
WHERE: Golden Gate State Park—Mule Deer Trail
WHEN: Weekdays—nice and open!
BLESSED SPOT: Just passed Panorama Point parking lot on the Mule Deer Trail
Head to the Mule Deer Trail from the top of the parking lot, follow it until you come to the first vista—you won’t miss it.
Sit on this rock!
“A person’s heart plans their way, but the Lord directs their steps.”
— Proverbs 16:9
Divine Appointments & Genesis Moments
Three years ago I headed out on what I thought was a simple road bike ride from my house near DU to Southglenn. My route looked easy—cruise straight down Clarkson and wind my way to the shopping center. To my surprise, Clarkson dead-ended at an equestrian park. I figured I could ride right through it and catch Clarkson on the other side. Again, I am on a road bike—not a mountain bike. I rumbled down the steep single track that led to the park. I rode right through the space as horses were practicing their jumps and onlookers appearing a bit confused and probably irritated. I just kept going—and I truly felt a bit crazy. I made it, but had to push my bike up a steep hill and as quickly as possible to escape the embarrassment. I never looked back.
You are probably wondering—what does this have to do with divine appointments or genesis moments. Well, God had me barrel down that dirt path to prime me for a future appointment. It was a genesis moment that he buried away for me to unearth 3 years later. In March of this year, as I was preparing one of my first blog posts “What rhymes with toilet paper,” God reminded me of that rough and comical ride. It was clear as a bell that I was to choose the Rollins Barnard equestrian park as the sacred spot for that post I was crafting. My message was about finding joy in the midst of C19, about pursuing passions, about going on great capers, about letting God direct our paths and expecting fabulous adventures. This March I went back to the equestrian park and wandered about looking for the right spot until I found “Ambers” bench. A wooden seat that was dedicated to the life of a young woman—the plaque read “Live like Amber, with Joy, Love, Wonderment, Passion, and Adventure.” That could not have been more divine. This spot was perfect on so many levels. I sat on her bench, shed tears for Amber and her family, took photos, posted my message and was truly touched by the experience.
How many divine appointments have we missed?
I have prayed for Amber's parents on many occasions and I felt heavy for their loss. Often I have wondered about their story and how they were healing. Yesterday (4 months later) I once again felt God telling me to revisit the bench and place a little stone I painted with the URL of the post. I wandered to her spot and found that other folks had adorned the bench with plants, and glass angels, and other painted rocks to honor sweet Amber. I left my rock and prayed God would direct the right folks to find it.
I left the equestrian park and headed to Golden Gate Park to pray about this blog post. I took a magical hike along the Mule Deer trail to this spot. I felt God swirling around me, in the wind, in the varied pine trees, in the vibrant wildflowers, and in the foreboding and powerful sky. It felt soul satisfying to feel his presence and to share a quiet moment with him. I prayed for more divine appointments, for wild surprises, and for deeper connection—for you and for me. When I got home I checked my email and there was a surprising and lovely message from Amber’s parents. They had found the rock, read the post, and shared with me that it had made their day and they really needed the comfort after a hard day. They sent me photos of their beautiful daughter, and we forged a lovely connection. What a meaningful close to the loop of genesis moments and divine appointments. God had this whole thing planned 3 years ago—he just needed me to follow his lead.
We often thwart God’s surprises when we don’t do that one next thing we feel prompted to do. Don’t you wonder how many divine appointments you didn’t show up for? The flashing invitation we brushed off as nonsense. The gnawing in your gut that you are supposed to talk to someone, or give someone something, or take a scary risk. I believe our lives can be full of rich, fun, adventurous, passionate, crazy, and life changing events if we pray for God to reveal these appointments, and then have the guts to show up to them.
As you are sitting on this rock, looking out at the awe-inspiring view, realize you are attending a divine appointment right now! God brought you to this rock to commune with you, to show you how much he loves you and how much he wants you to love and know him. He has so many future appointments lined up and wants to confirm that you are in! It is thrilling to imagine what God might have in store if we are willing. Tell God right now “I am in, I don’t know what is around the corner, but include me, prompt me, show me the signs, don’t let me miss your appointments.”
As Proverbs 16:9 states “A person’s heart plans their way, But the Lord directs their steps.”
It is important that we take the first step, have some faith, put your foot in the water, climb the first rung, and wait for signs and appointments to follow. God promises to direct the steps, to set up the appointment, and show you the right path to take. Our job is to stay attentive to his leading, being willing to show up, and then take action.
There is still time to accept the invitation. Ask God to resend it to you—guaranteed he will.
I walked around this rock 7 times (kind of awkward but I did it) praying that:
You realize you are in a holy place.
That God would shower you with divine, surprising, and wild appointments
You would not pass by the invitations God is waving at you
For forgiveness, and for you to forgive someone else
That even if you don’t have a faith, you would be open to a great dialog with him
You would learn to love God with your passions (heart), your prayers (soul), and your intelligence (mind).
That if you are in need, someone else will be prompted to pitch in on your behalf
Things you can do:
Pray for Amber’s parents (Kim and Don) to be encouraged
Recount the divine appointments that you have attended in your life
Realize there is no coincidence
Walk the full Mule Deer trail
Don’t miss the vistas from the Panorama Point below the parking lot
Notice all of the varied pine trees growing along the trail—take a deep smell of the pungent perfume
Take a look at all of the peaks in the distance (there are over 20!)
Thank God for the vacation we have in our backyards
Write a comment, prayer, or request below
Remember God is bigger than C-19 and has something for you to learn from it
