From The Heavenly Realms

Years ago, when we lived in the beautiful Slocan Valley in British Columbia, Canada, my husband and a fellow teacher decided to tackle a climb up to the New Denver Glacier. During our years in the village of New Denver, our kitchen window gave us a wonderful view of the glacier. Valhalla Provincial Park with its mapped-out trails did not exist then, so Terry's friend used his orienteering skills to plot a way up.

The guys prepared carefully for their adventure, with their gear to be carried in great packs on their backs. As they set off, they wove their way through a forest of huge cedar trees, through alpine meadows, stopping up higher to camp right on the snow. Finally, they reached the summit of Mount Denver, 2,722 metres (8,930 feet) high. To the west reached more mountain ranges, as far as the eye could see, but not visible from below.

From the sunny high ridge, they gazed down on tiny New Denver, nestled on the edge of Slocan Lake. They watched as a storm began to roll in, completely obscuring the valley floor. Terry described the strange sensation of watching black storm clouds gather far below, with lightning on top of them!

Ephesians 1:3 – All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. (NLT)

Ephesians 2:6 – For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. (NLT)

Terry's description of looking down on the storm reminds me of a whimsical cartoon illustration that once captured my imagination. A person in a heavenly robe is sitting on the edge of a fluffy cloud, legs dangling. The caption read, "Keep looking down, you're seated in the heavenlies." At the time, I didn't understand it. Didn't we look up to God? I had to switch my viewpoint.

In the valley, where the storm was raging, we couldn't see the tops of the mountains. During the winter, as well, New Denver would be socked in; the clouds hung low. No glacier was visible. But it was still there.

In the wintertime, these gloomy surroundings depressed me. The all-present God had redeemed me and had given me His power to live the Christian life, but I had to remember my position in Christ, and live it out in practical terms.

When we can't "see" God or feel Him working, let us be reminded where we are really positioned, in the heavenly realms with Him. He gives us every blessing and the power that we need to live above the storm.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that through Christ's resurrection, we have been given everything that we need for life in the valley. Help us to live life from Your point of view. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Alice Burnett <terrencera.burnett@gmail.com>
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
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