Leaping Upon the Mountains
“[Vividly she pictured it] The voice of my beloved [shepherd]! Behold, he comes, leaping upon the mountains, bounding over the hills.”
ريم
(Gazelle): The name that our Bedouin host gave me as he gave names to the group of us who sat around a fire under a blanket of stars in the middle of the mars-like expanse of Wadi Rum.
In this desert my soul breathed deep, warmed by the heat of the red-hued rocks, drawn into the mystery of the night sky, and soaring as the dawn broke. I've never felt so alive.
“He makes my feet like hinds’ feet [able to stand firmly or make progress on the dangerous heights of testing and trouble]; He sets me securely upon my high places.”
Years ago He woke me through a series of trials that shook me to my core, and it was then I decided to follow Him, whatever it took, despite my weakness and fear, simply because I could not bare to be separated from Him. Now He renews His sentiments, the meaning only deeper as deserts of difficulty have tested & strengthened my feet (& my heart) to follow, teaching me to make progress in any terrain.
“Fasten Me upon your heart as a seal of fire forevermore. This living, consuming flame will seal you as my prisoner of love. My passion is stronger than the chains of death and the grave, all consuming as the very flashes of fire from the burning heart of God...Everything will be consumed. It will stop at nothing as you yield everything to this furious fire until it won’t even feel like a sacrifice anymore.”
It is not a sacrifice anymore, the burning of His love in my chest is reward enough until I see Him face to face. I embrace a constant glad surrender, and walk as one with Him.