Walking up to the Cross on the Hill
“Take off your shoes for this is Holy ground,” I heard whispered in my mind as I approached the spot. Ouch, I thought as I looked down at the pebbled ground. Yet, I knew this was indeed Holy ground, so I sat and took off my shoes. I winced as I continued barefoot closer to the altar rail of this worship space on the side of a hill overlooking the Guadalupe River. Then, I kneeled on those rough pebbles at the altar and prayed as long as my knees allowed, remembering that morning so many years ago.
“Do not come any closer,” God said, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God. ~Exodus 2:5-6
As a teenager, I’d spent several years falling away from God. Although I’d grown up in the church and even continued to attend regularly, I had trouble believing. For me, it was a battle of science over religion. I would spend hours arguing with myself to disprove religion. God created all of the earth in just seven days? What about the dinosaurs? What about evolution?
This went on for more than year. Arguing numerous other points of contention between science and religion. However, I could never quite get that opposing voice out of my head; the one arguing God was real.
Finally, God decided He would win the argument for good. I was on a youth group retreat in the Texas hill country. We were having morning worship at this cross on the hill.
The Cross on the Hill at Mo-Ranch, overlooking the beautiful Guadalupe River
As I stood around the altar with my friends, not singing along with their songs, I heard a voice say, “See this? All of this? This is MY creation. I made all of this.”
And that was it. I had wrestled with God and God won. I knew without a doubt in that instant God was real, those words were spoken by God, and God was the creator of everything.
With my high school youth group at the cross – likely the morning I met God.
I’ve struggled to share this story. Except for my best friend, I didn’t tell that story to anyone else for more than 20 years. I didn’t want to be the “girl who heard voices”. I didn’t know anyone else who experienced God in such a real, tangible, physical way. I was afraid.
But, God is real and tangible and we can experience Him in physical ways. He touches our hearts, so we’ll share that love with others.
God lets us hear His voice, so we’ll be bold to use ours.
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. ~1 Timothy 1:7
Will you join me in boldness today and leave a few words in the comments describing how you experience God? Do you hear His voice? Feel His embrace? Sense His presence? See His words written across your mind? Or, something else? Join with me in a community of people who experience and believe in a real and tangible God – and who are bold enough to share!
Look at the beauty of this place! Of course this is the handiwork of God! Being in this Holy spot still takes my breath away.
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Linking with: A Little R & R, Wednesday Prayer Girls, Titus 2 Tuesday, Coffee for Your Heart, #TellHisStory, Thought Provoking Thursday
Ellie Morrison says
Yes, Kathryn! I hear His voice, feel His hand pushing me to do His will. He has led me places I never thought about or had any wish to go. I have followed Him, inept, unskilled and terrified. But when in obedience, He goes before me. What an amazing journey it has been.
Kathryn says
Thank you for sharing! Inspires me every time I hear stories of what obedience to God’s call can do in a life. To hear how we can be called to something we never imagined on our own and that following can lead us to amazing places.
sonyamacdesigns says
I love that and we are using the same wordpress templet !
Lanette Haskins says
Love this “God lets us hear His voice, so we’ll be bold to use ours.”- thanks for sharing!!!
llicenogle says
I saw fireworks when I prayed about being pregnant, and I knew we were…talk about crazy! Crazy and amazing 🙂 Thank you for sharing!!
Kathryn says
Love that you saw fireworks for that precious baby on the way!
Renewed_Daily says
Sometimes in dreams, sometimes in voice, sometimes through others…. God is ever-present and makes Himself known.
“But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul.” – Deuteronomy 4:29
Great post! Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
Jennifer says
The more time I spend in deep prayer the easier it is to hear the Holy Spirit speak to me. His voice is quiet but the more I hear him the easier it becomes. I love your story! Thank you for sharing!
Kathryn says
I have loved reading all these comments today! Love seeing God at work and seeing how others experience Him. Guess I’m not so crazy after all 🙂 He is indeed an awesome God!
Kelley says
Not crazy at all…except for crazy about God! You know that my revival moment involved a physical touch as I was filled with the Holy Spirit and now, He speaks to me in a word or two and images…often very early in the morning. So, I’m jumping out of bed at 4 am to jot it down or create something!
Kathy says
In my 68 years I have learned that God is a jealous lover! If you ignore Him for too long, He will “peck on your head” to get your attention. He will not be ignored.
Kathryn says
So true! Or a “swift kick in the rear”!
sarah riise says
I feel more from God, the more I trust in Him. Letting him take over my life and make my decisions actually takes a huge weight off of me. He was with me the night I broke up with Jim. Without his strength, I wouldn’t have been able to to stand up for myself and my need to be in a fully committed relationship. Not just one I really wanted b/c I love him.
Kathryn says
Yes! The more we enter into that relationship – listen, trust, obey – the more we will see and hear God in our lives.
Mary Bennett says
I heard a voice when God told me I was going to marry my husband. It was so powerful yet comforting and God’s plan continues to surprise and amaze me everyday!
Kathryn says
Wow! What an amazing confirmation that you’d chosen the right one. An extra special blessing for your marriage 🙂
Shelley Bennett says
Kathryn, a beautiful testament about an amazing place. I felt like I knew God really for the first time at Mo Ranch also. I haven’t been since high school, and still it holds such a dear place in my heart.
Karen M. Roth says
I often Hear God’s Voice through Worship music or Books I am reading. But the biggest way is in the Deeper Study of His Word.