Spiritual Pathways

Everyone has different spiritual pathways that they connect best with God. Ortberg Outtakes describes them this way:
1.Intellectual Pathway - "... draw closer to God as they learn more about Him."
2. Relational Pathway - "... have a deep sense of God's presence when they're involved in significant relationships." 3. Serving Pathway - "... God's presence seems most tangible when they're involved in helping others." 4. Worship Pathway - "... have a natural gift for expression and celebration." 5. Activist Pathway - "You have a passion to act." 6. Contemplative Pathway - "God is most present to you when distractions and noises are removed." 7. Creation Pathway - "... have a passionate ability to connect with God when they are experiencing the world He made."

My main spiritual pathway, the way I feel closest to God is when I am surrounded by His natural creation and beauty. One of the places I visit often because it is close to my house is South Coast Botanic Garden. Some people have a year-long pass to Disneyland. I have one for this place!

This past year they put in a fuchsia garden. God just didn't make one kind of fuchsia. He made lots in every shade of red, pink, magenta and purple! He made larger blooms that are full yet delicate. And then He made smaller ones, almost miniature. But you know they're fuchsias because they all have the same basic composition. God must love variety. Just look at us! Not one of us is like another!

Every time I visit here I walk through the fuchsia garden. Even though I've seen them before, I still marvel and delight in seeing them again and again. I never get tired of looking at them. Something is moved in my spirit whenever I see God's creativity in nature. A love wells up within my heart for such a great God.

I leave the fuchsia garden and proceed to other equally beautiful places on the grounds. Doing this has been the way I have prepared myself for quiet time with God. I can even feel my blood pressure drop! By the time I get to my favorite bench, I am ready to receive from His Word and from Him.

Afterwards, on my way back toward the entrance I still linger, keeping my eyes open for something I might have missed on the way in. And as I drive out of the parking lot, my heart is full and I am ready to face the challenges of the coming days.