The Place

Suddenly I woke up for a strong breeze rumbling against the car. Coming out of a mind fog I realized that I had fallen asleep. As I looked around, I could see it was nighttime, but was still able to see because it was a full moon.  I gazed up into the sky and seen a glowing moon resting behind the only cloud in site.  Looking at the horizon, the moon reflecting off the ocean was incredible.

I tried to make sense of how long I had been asleep and what were my last thoughts before falling asleep. I remembered being mesmerized by watching the most beautiful sunset I had ever experience. Then as the sun disappeared I remember feeling very alone in the darkness as I drifted off to sleep.

Now as I sat there feeling the car rumble from the occasional strong breeze I began to feel a calling for me to get out of the car. I wasn’t sure were the draw was coming from, but I felt like a stickpin resisting an industrial magnet. The pull only became stronger as I resisted. Finally I open the car door and stepped out side, reached my arms to the sky to stretch out the stiffness. As I was stretching, deep from within me an excitement begin to boil up. The kind of excitement a little kid experiences the morning before going to Disneyland.

This exciting draw to the unknown was confusing and yet I didn’t want to miss where it was going to lead. It was if someone else was guiding every footstep. I walked through an open gate in the fence and turned left to start down this narrow path that was on the edge of a cliff about 40-50 feet above the water. Below I could hear the ocean waves on the beach, swelling in and the rushing out.

I knew it was a cool, because I could see my breath and yet I was sweating because I didn’t realize my walk and turned into a run. The anticipation of getting to this destination was beginning to consume me. It was if this was going to be the most incredible moment in my life.

As I ran the pounding of my heart and heavy breathing drowned out the sounds around me.  It was like I began to move into a meditative state when I heard a voice. A voice from with in my saying, “Wait until you see what I have to show you.” Suddenly my mind went back to what I was thinking before I was asleep. I was admiring all of God’s creation, but inside I felt very alone, just like another drop of water in the ocean. Just before I dowsed off I asked myself, I wonder why I have never felt like I had experienced God intimately.

Now I am running at a full sprint, feeling like I could run forever. The adrenaline of anticipation and excitement energized me like a tireless stallion. I tried to make out what was in front of me and begin to notice it looked like the path veered to the right and ended. And before I could even think the next obvious thought I heard the voice softly say, “Ok, you are here.” I looked down at where my feet were and I was standing on the very edge of a point looking over a 50-foot cliff. I could see the waves of the ocean below and as I looked up into the sky again and was taken back by the brightest full moon I have ever seen. It was like if I stretched out just a little more, I would be able to touch it.

As I stood there, which seemed like forever, before I bent over to put my hands on my knees to catch my breath. And a moment later I felt completely refreshed and all I could hear was the slight breeze and the waves beneath my feet.  As I stood up and admired the moon reflecting off the water I took in a deep breath, like I wanted to breath in the memory so I would never forget it.  Just as I began to let out my breath, I heard that voice again saying, “Inspiring isn’t it?” Now I realized the voice I was hearing was God. Taken back realizing who I was hearing I began to feel like I wanted to hide. “I don’t want you to hide, I want you to experience me. “ Not knowing how to respond I just stood there staring at the awesome seen before me and thinking, yes this is inspiring. I am talking with God the one who created all of this. Then He asked, “Do you know what the word inspired means?” I replied “no.” “It originally meant God breathed.” After hearing His answer, I remembered of all the inspiring thoughts I have had in the past and never acted on. Then He asked, “Where do you think those thoughts came from?” When He said this, I realized He was able to hear my thoughts.

Standing there in awe, I realized He has been hearing to my thoughts more then just at this moment. Reflecting back on some of those inspiring thoughts, I remember feeling excited when I had them, only to have the passion disappear as fear over powered the idea.  God then asked me to take a real good look at the scene before me and let it really sink in.  As I admired in amazement and disbelief of who beautiful the scene real was, God said “do you feel close to me know?” Before I could answer He said,” I ask because I want you to know how close I want to be with you. As you look at the scenery, realize no one in the history of my creation or ever will see or experience this the way you are right now.  You know I created you in my own image and there are no two people exactly the same. Each and every person is a unique creation. As an artist has an intimacy and understanding for their work like no other, is the same way I see you, like one of my masterpieces. You must know what other thinks of you, things you have done or going to do will never have effect how much I love you.” A lump formed in my throat, because of how many times fear has distracted me from what God wanted me to know.

I began to feel as an ignorant child, thinking I knew everything and yet knew little about the truth. Then I felt a Fatherly embrace and heard Him whisper in my ear,” I sent my only begotten son, to die a horrific death and take away your sins, so you would know how much I love you and how much I desire to have a relationship with you.” Hearing this, I dropped to me knees and wept like a little boy that felt the true love of his Father.  He then reached down to lift me up to embrace me again and say, “ I know there have been times in your life where you questioned even if I existed, but know I have always been with you and always will be. I don’t expect to completely understand the magnitude of my love, until I reveal it to you. Believe me my child, the reason I have sent you inspiring thoughts, is I want you to experience the fullest life I have designed for you. I have made you in my likeness, to create, live and love.”

His last words were, “I brought you here to be with me and show you how significant and special you are. To believe anything else is a lie.” Then I felt Him kiss my forehead, as to say until next time. Then he ascended into the starry night. When I looked in the direction He left, I seen a star brighten as to confirm him saying “you will always know where to find me”

Feeling like I have never felt in my life, I looked across the reflection of the moon on the ocean and a blue whale leaped completely out of the water, landing on its back, making a huge splash. It was like God saying, I am just going to keep showing you how much I love you. I made this to share with you.”

I took in a deep breath, looked down at the ground to find a big rock so I could make my own altar. After a few minutes, I found the perfect rock. I placed it next to the path, looked up at star I seen brightened and said out loud,” this is the place I came to understand inspiration.”

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God Bless,