Seeking the Secret Place in the Chaos of Costa Rica
The other day I explained to someone on my team an allegory of being filled up by God. Often we think of it like we have a cup that we come and sit with the Lord and then pour it back out for others until we are depleted and empty, and only then come back to God for more. However, as I explained to them, it doesn’t have to be that way. Instead, we can be holding one of those glass drink containers with a spout and we are constantly sitting in the presence of God and being filled by Him while simultaneously keeping the spout open to pour out to others.
Here in Costa Rica the Lord has been teaching me a lot about His Secret Place. The Secret Place is resting in the Lord’s presence and communing with Him, listening to His voice more than speaking myself. Coming into the Secret Place is as easy as opening a door, and at the same time a battle to choose to enter in. The Secret Place is more than reading my Bible, praying, or listening to worship music, although it often includes these things. It is going into a room, or even a quiet corner of a crowded room, separating myself and communing with my Father who hears in secret (Matthew 6:6).
For a while now I have realized the importance of abiding in the Secret Place, but now more than ever I know how desperately I need it. It has been a combination of many things: processing the rapid transition from CGA to squad leading, staying actively engaged as I lead my team and point them to the Lord, and the spiritual warfare of being in a place as dark as Jacó, Costa Rica.
As I was preparing to lead for this Semesters trip, the Lord told me that it was going to be hard, and that I needed to lead from a place of rest. Leading from a place of rest: nothing could be more applicable right now. It is my natural instinct when I am over my head to lead from a place of hurry as I believe in the lie of self-reliance. The Lord knew He was inviting me to dive in over my head when He told me to lead from a place of rest. Only in a place of rest can I lead by empowering others, pointing my team to Jesus, and modeling the life with the Lord that I desire others to have. I have found that leading from a place of rest can only be sustained from time spent in the Secret Place.
For example, few days ago, I was running a little dry. I had been slowly slipping from abiding in the Secret Place and had thus been slipping into a place of hurry. I started to get frazzled, overwhelmed, and to lose perspective. The next day I had a scheduled check-in call with my squad mentor. I explained what I was dealing with and she asked what I needed. After some thought I said, an hour. An hour with the Lord in the Secret Place can change everything. And it did. Later on, my team asked me if my alone time had been recharging. I explained that it wasn’t the hour alone that had been refreshing but the hour with the Lord in the Secret Place that was so life-giving. Psalm 84:10 says it well, “For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.” And in Psalm 91:1, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
How easy it is to let my focus slip from the one thing that gives me life! As I said at the beginning of this blog, coming into the Secret Place is as easy as opening a door, and at the same time a battle to choose to enter in. When we look at Scripture, this makes sense. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” And in John 10:10 it quotes Jesus saying, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” So, of course the devil desires to steal the one thing that brings so much life, but the Lord is faithful and fights for us when we choose to pursue Him and enter into the Secret Place. Lord, give me your grace today and always to abide in Your Secret Place and dwell within your presence. Amen.
