In the Olive Press with Jesus {part one}
Posted on February 19th, 2012
My heart is greatly troubled, stirred up and unsettled. Only God can untangle this one. Only God can bring order to confusion. Only God can make sense out of chaos. Only God can take what man has meant for evil and make it count for his eternal good.
Only God.
How well I remember a season ago when a good friend wrote these comforting, yet challenging words to me: “Elaine, there are some places where only you and God can go to together.” As much as I dreaded her forecast of seeming isolation, I knew that she was right. There simply are some places, some times, some pilgrimages in my life that belong to just God and me. Times when I must set aside what others think in order to take hold of what God thinks.
This is one of those times. Fitting that it should coincide with my Easter walk. As the season of Lent enters in, so does my need to make pilgrimage with Jesus to a garden and to a wrestling that I am certain will culminate with nothing else but a clear and strong understanding of how this cross must be carried.
Lent. My season of personal subtraction.
Lent. God’s season of eternal multiplication.
Lent. The path that leads me forward in search of a fresh revelation of the risen Lord.
Lent. The path that leads God downward in search of a child willing to receive the truth.
And somewhere in the middle, we’ll meet. Me going to God. Him coming to me. A place on the map where only He and I can go to together. A time for seeing God in a way I’ve never seen him before.
Personal subtraction. Eternal multiplication. A certain formula for God turning things around.
Are you ready for Lent, friends? Better still, are you willing? God has something to show each one of us, something that can only be revealed in the hushed tones and isolated prayers of Gethsemane. I cannot forego my time with Jesus in the garden this year. I’ve so much to let go of; so much to take hold of. The Olive Press is where I need to be.
If you’d like to join me on this journey to the cross, then I invite you to stop by each Wednesday for a Lenten pause. We’ll be joined by my father, Chuck Killian, who’ll give us a word or two to chew on as we move forward to Calvary. A few thoughts from my father about the Father. I can’t think of a better guide to guide us to Jesus. Until then…
Peace for the journey, 
I am so glad to know that although I cannot be with you in the place "where only you and God can go to together" I can pray for you while you are there. Much love to you, my friend.
Will be looking forward to what you and your dad have to share with us in the coming weeks. I know it will be good. Praying for you and trusting with you that God indeed will untangle and bring order out of confusion. Love you, my friend.
Oh Elaine, it's been much too long since my last visit to your blog. Your words hit me right in the heart. Sometimes He brings us to places of isolation. I am looking forward to your Lenten posts and all that your father has to say too.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Looking forward to the posts. Those times of isolation are so hard, but can be incredibly fruitful for us. Beautiful.
Know, know, know that you are in my prayers. Love and hugs, Elaine.
I've been concerned that God will think my prayers are too rote, too much the same every time. While this may not seem like a big problem, I don't want Him to think I'm "phoning in" my time with Him. As a result, my prayer time has become stilted, and recently I've put off talking with Him because I'm afraid it will be the same prayer. I will definitely join you and your father during Lent. Please know I lift you up in prayer, that God bring you peace and the guidance you seek.
XOXOXO,
Brenda
I'm sorry you are going through a difficult time. You know I'm here for you, anytime. That's what friends are for, and you are a precious friend to me.
I look forward to stopping by each Wednesday, reading what you and your dad will share.
Love you…mean it.
Prayers for you during this journey.
You put into words what I too often have felt at times.
Look forward to Wednesdays.
listening on our own, even though we seek ot hers to stay awake and help us…it is our personal pressing … alone…that has to take place.
My heart, love, and of course, my prayers are with you dear friend. I am looking forward to Wednesdays with you.
That darned ole' valley of the shadow … I can almost see you walking there AND the Lord walking beside you. Your pauses will be precious, and I know we'll all benefit!
I love you & that dear heart of yours!
Praying for you faithfully. My heart goes out to you. Wish I could do or say more, but I know what you say is true…one-on-one with God. Just know so many are aching for you and with you.
There are stages in our journey where we walk alone, alone with God. But it is an upward call, and an uphill climb as well. But your Lenten posts will surely be beautiful. What a privilege to have an earthly Dad who can offer you words of wisdom for your journey. I look forward to your Lenten posts. It's Ash Wednesday today here in our nation. A timely reminder of what we're made of.
Keeping you close …
Love
Lidia
You are definitely in my thoughts and prayers. I too have been called…compelled to take a journey this year in this season of Lent. I am so seeking the crushing of my own selfishness so I can love as He did. I am so overcomed with a mind that is twisted with the compelling understanding of the journey of Calvary. Oh, I get it, I believe it, I am just taken back by it this year for some reason…convicted by its love. Yes, that's it…conviced by its love.
Living Out Loud ~ Pamela