Hilary has what her mother called, “expensive feet” They are long, narrow and dare I say, “elegant” It seems that the US shoe manufactures have no room for such ‘royal feet’ so every time we go to Europe Hilary is on the look out for shoes that fit her aristocratic tootsies !
This year her initial foray amongst the shoe shops of Utrecht with her Dutch friend Loes, yielded nothing, however at the “Bishops” in Coleraine, she and Carolyn, her Irish accomplice found the shoes! What’s more they were reduced to half price – only 35 pounds.
On our return to the Netherlands Hilary thought she’d try again only to find that now the sales were on in Utrecht! This time I went with her, and low and behold, we found another pair…also half price….and the equivalent of 35 pounds. “Thank you Father for the double blessing!”
This confirmed a sense I had been getting about Isaiah 35 which inspired a song years ago entitled, “Come up onto the Highway of the Lord”. It began, “There is a way of holiness……for all those who love the Lord our God.”
The chapter begins,
“Wilderness and desert will sing joyously, the badlands will celebrate and flower – Like the crocus in spring bursting into blossom, a symphony of song and color.” (Msg)
I mentioned a few weeks ago how we witnessed this blossoming in the hedgerows of both Ireland and England. Then when I came home I stumbled across this article.
Isaiah 35:1 Prophecy Coming to Pass—Are We on the Brink of Jesus’ Return? — Charisma News
I believe there is a final invitation going out for the “wedding feast”. Most we’re told will fail to respond, not because they are ‘bad’ people, but simply because as in the parable in Luke 14;16-24 they have lost focus and become distracted with ‘good things’ like homes, ( “I have just bought a field”) families (“I have just married a wife!”) and careers (I have just bought five yoke of oxen!”)
To come up onto the Highway of Holiness we must be willing to leave everything to take the next step up as part of that joyful ‘in step with the Spirit’ company, “in whose hearts are the highways to Zion” or as the Message puts it,
“How blessed all those in whom you live, whose lives become roads you travel; they wind through lonesome valleys, come upon brooks, discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain! God- traveled, these roads curve up the mountain, and at the last turn – Zion! God in full view!” (Ps.84:5-7)
In England we met a family who had recently, like us, left a successful career, family and home (in Cape Town, South Africa) to follow the Lord to a little British country village…… however the next step does not have to be something that seems ‘religious’ or ‘heroic’….. It may be just going to the shops to help your friend find a pair of shoes……or even going with your wife to the shops to help her find a pair of shoes : – ))
On waking each morning my mother used to commit each ‘ordinary’ day to the Lord, in order that He might make it ‘extraordinary’ by praying from Psalm 25:4.5,
“Let me know you ways, O Lord; Teach me your paths.
Guide me in Your truth and teach me,
For you are the God of my salvation; For You (and only You) I wait (expectantly) all the day long.” (Amp.)
This is the constant heart disposition of that “redeemed” company…..
“See laughter and joy running past
Sorrow and sighing flee away
Weeping may come, but she won’t last
In the morning there’s joy……here to stay!”
So “Vote With Your Feet” –
Come up unto the Highway of the Lord………and together we’ll go in