I just returned from a leadership experience to Yosemite National Park where we climbed a well known piece of granite called, Half Dome. The ministry that sponsored the trip is called Summit Leaders. It’s an amazing concept. Instead of simply attending a conference with thousands of people, you get to engage with 20-30 other leaders and a nationally recognized leader. In this case it was Mark Batterson, whom I really admire. You can read about his take on the trip here.
In this blog post, I will share some of the lessons learned, and at a later time I will share about the actual experience of climbing up half dome! One word – INTENSE!
During the experience, Mark shared from his book called, Soul Print taking lessons from the life of David. Here are a few things he said that impacted me:
- Time is measured in minutes but life is measured in moments.
- Don’t accumulate posessions, accumulate experiences (especially shared experiences with people in your life).
- The greatest freedom in the world is having nothing to prove.
- “Imitation is suicide.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
- There are no pinch hitters in the kingdom of God
One of the things we did was take some time to reflect on who God made us to be. We took some time alone to ask God some questions like, “Who am I?” We identified some defining moments – those life experiences that marked us throughout our lives (either good or bad). I climbed up to a small waterfall situated next to a towering cliff of granite to reflect on these things. Here are some of the things I discovered about myself:
- The only place I find true rest and am able to cease from striving is in my identity as one of God’s sons.
- I know my identity and know who I am but I must put myself in places that reconnect me with who I am in Him. For me this often happens in nature when I draw away from the crowd and listen for His voice. It’s here that I feel I can hear God clearly and commune best.
- Most good things in life take time, perseverance, and hard work!
Here are some great pics from the trip!
Sweet! Thanks for sharing your experiences and pictures. I also commune best with God in nature…
One of my favorites is Romans 1:20 “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”
When I look at a mighty landscape, all I see is that all creation reflects the glory of God…
Kent,
Great to meet up with you in Yosemite.
Awesome week.
Thanks Steve! So glad to get to know you a little bit. Maybe our paths will cross again!
Thanks for a great post on your blog. It was an awesome trip in more ways than one. I loved the teaching sessions, was inspired by the climb, and was bettered by making a few friendship with others in ministry. God’s best to you, Kent!
Thanks so much Ken. You are very thoughtful and encouraging. Thanks for your prayers on the move. I really appreciate you and am thankful that I made a new friend!