I quite enjoy driving long distances by myself. There is something special about being alone in my car in a kind of bubble with God, listening to music or praying aloud or just enjoying God’s presence. And what makes it even more special is the opportunity to gaze out at the beautiful countryside I am driving through, noting the often dramatic changes in the landscape and marvelling at God’s creativity on display all around me.
This past weekend, I found myself heading west from Sydney to the beautiful town of Orange. I have always loved driving up into the Blue Mountains. Yet again, I feasted my eyes on those vistas of tree-covered slopes, of valleys shrouded in blue haze and of old stone settlers’ cottages and holiday venues from a bygone era. But it was as I crested that mountain range and began to descend to the sloping plains beyond, stretching as far as the eye could see, that my mind was blown yet again with the vastness of it all. And as the road wended its way further west, across smaller ranges and down into rich farming valleys, God seemed to be all around me, in and outside that car, overwhelming me with his own vastness.
I am so thankful for that experience. I am in the midst of a very busy month of speaking—and at these times I can often forget the bigger picture and become overwhelmed with all that has to be attended to. I can even lose sight of why I am doing everything I’m doing, until things become more of a chore than a joy. But my journey over those mountains put a dramatic stop to that, ministering to my spirit in several ways.
Firstly, seeing God’s hand of creativity in such an undeniable way around me enabled me to pull back, focus on that bigger picture again and realise God is quite able to use my speaking and writing to encourage others. I am in the hands of a great, great God, after all.
Secondly, at my destination, I met with a body of women who love the Lord and endeavour to serve God where they are. Some face big challenges right now and others are on the brink of changes that will impact them greatly. And again I saw what a privilege I have to speak into others’ lives and encourage them in some way.
Thirdly, I glimpsed again the power of a written story. One lady had travelled some distance to hear me speak because two of my books had touched her so deeply. How could I ignore God’s encouragement via this dear person to hold fast to the vision I have been given and to believe my books can make a difference?
Yes, I journeyed over physical mountains this past weekend with God. But I suspect I surmounted some inner obstacles as well. People, we have a great God—a God who will help us climb those mountains in our lives and stand victorious till the end!
Who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. Psalm 18:31-33
Jo-Anne Berthelsen's Blog 
Thanks Jo, that was so beautifully written, I could imagine it all, and it came with God’s peace.
I loved your description of the ‘bubble’. That’s my space to have the CD or radio, which I can now understand, as loud as I want with no complaints!
When you aren’t doing long trips, may God encourage you as you ‘get back to the Garden’.
Leanne
Thanks so much, Leanne, for your encouraging comments. Yes, that car can be a special place, can’t it? And I am endeavouring to stay in that place of peace as I look over my three talks I am giving this week! We really are very blessed to have God’s presence around us at all times, whatever our week looks like.
Hi Jo-Anne, how very True sometimes there are mountains to climb but as you shared, we do so with faith and we don’t doubt that God is the God of the impossible. We Love others and also seek Unity with our Brothers and Sisters in The Lord, uplifting and encouraging them and sharing God’s Truth with them, even correcting if needed and accepting their Godly advice too. We also, take an interest in what interests them in the Lord, so we can motivate them to continue to do good, we need each other, we are the Body of Christ, His hands, arms, feet and voice and we reach out to a hurting world as He did.
I created a Power point about Mountains, perhaps when you have time Jo-Anne you may like to watch it … God is indeed a God of Love and shows it.
Blog post – http://freedomborn.wordpress.com/2012/02/27/mountain-miracles-for-bob-and-wendy/
Christian Love from us both – Anne
Thanks so much, Anne, for your comments. And thanks too for sharing your beautiful power point presentation online featuring mountain scenes! I have just watched it and really enjoyed it. All the scenes are beautiful, but it was great to see the Three Sisters and our own Blue Mts included there! God bless.
Thank you Jo-Anne for your kind words creating Power points gives me so much Joy, I often cry as I create them with the Beauty of God’s creation as a constant reminder of His great Love for us, thank you for taking the time to watch it.
Jo-Anne I’m still not receiving your replys, when you reply to someones comment do you do click reply or just start a new comment box?
Christian Love -Anne
P.S I will be back soon.
Re my responses like this, Anne, I just click on ‘Reply’ and type as I am now. Not sure what is happening then for you, but I guess at least you can read my responses here hopefully. God bless!
Dear Jo-Anne, I love driving in my ‘bubble with God’ too & even succumb to singing very loudly along with my CD’s as I go (holding onto the belief that nobody outside the car can actually hear me)… Sometimes driving can provide a rare block of time to be alone, but it also takes us to new places, new people and new opportunities. Thanks for the encouragement to keep taking these journeys – continuing to reach out to others – even those who live on the other side of the mountain! K
Thanks for your comments, Kerry! I can just see you driving along, singing away! Good on you! Lionel doesn’t like CDs playing when we drive, but I do, so I can play all sorts of music I like to my heart’s content when by myself in the car! God bless.