Island Attractions
When we stepped onto the island, it was as if we had stepped into someone else’s life. We arrived after dark and were wide awake at 4 a.m., thanks to the time change. Our minds imagined the grandeur of the gardens and the stunning ocean view as we walked alone on the magnificently soft, sandy shores, illuminated only by starlight. Before long, the sun rose, and with it, our excitement for the days ahead. Maui was more spectacular than we had imagined.
There are no experiences greater than receiving the love of God. One of my favorite ways to receive His love is through creation.
The Holy Spirit lovingly spoke, “Every detail that you see and appreciate, I thought of you when I created it. I thought of this day, this moment, and I took delight in knowing you would experience my love through creation. I love your desire to experience each sunrise and sunset, knowing no two are the same. I paint the sky for you.”
Before long, the Grand Wailea was bustling with people, and the numerous potential tourist attractions began to overwhelm me. As a "maximizer," I often wrestle with the desire to experience it all. Restlessness, which accompanies a fear of missing out, threatens to rob the gift of the present moment. My faithful friend, Jesus, brought alignment to my heart with His words.
“FOMO takes you out of 'shalom' and puts the responsibility on you to make moments happen rather than receiving them as a free gift.”
In response, I whispered a prayer. “Thank you, Jesus, for the undeserved gift of this moment. Ground me in your love.”
After breakfast and a morning swim in the sea, we arrived at the spa for a massage. We were encouraged to partake in a ritual that involved saltwater and setting our manifestations for the day. We declined.
“The world will tell you to set your manifestations for the day, but I tell you to set your affections, which will design your attractions.”
Later, with a journal and a pen, and glorious ocean view, I asked the Holy Spirit to talk to me more about setting our affections.
“You set your affections by choosing where you place your attention. Where you place your affection will lead to your attractions. Attractions are like a magnet, pulling you into connection or disconnection. Affection will take your attention, which will lead to your attractions. Your attractions dictate your experience.”
Attraction noun
The action or power of evoking interest, pleasure, or liking for someone or something.
A place that draws visitors by providing something of interest or pleasure.
“I am always drawing you, but you will not experience the attraction to me if you do not set your affections on things above.”
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” - Colossians 3:1-4 (NKJV)
The Lord continued to speak, “Destiny’s path is only as attractive to you as your affections are rightly ordered. There are endless attractions, but not endless invitations from me. When your affections are set, you will be led by the Spirit and not your flesh. You must expect temptation to come in the form of attractions. When it does, pause. Surrender. Be led by my rest.
Ask: Does it require you to rush? If you have to hurry, it’s probably not me.
Does it require you to neglect something or someone that is a higher priority to you? My invitations will never contradict my Word and direction to you.
Does it steal your peace? My peace is not the absence of fear. My invitations are often on the other side of fear, and intimidation can be a sign that you are on the right path. But, when the invitation is from me, my peace will triumph over anxiety.
My invitations will challenge you to rise in your true identity. I do not invite you to do things you can handle on your own. My invitations will make you more dependent on me.”
For the rest of the trip, I purposed to set my affection on the Lord to be attracted and led by the Spirit rather than lured by tourist attractions. The Spirit led us into meaningful conversations with Uber drivers and tourists who became friends. As we were led by love, words of knowledge, prophecy, and encouragement flowed—moments we could have missed if we had misplaced affections. The Lord also had many wonderful gifts prepared for us in the form of experiences.
There were a couple of blessings we certainly could not have orchestrated for ourselves. We got a deluxe ocean view room upgrade to our already free stay (we booked with points). On our snorkeling excursion, a family of dolphins swam under me (I was sitting on a net over the water) and around our boat. Then on the last morning while reading my Bible on a nearly empty beach, I spotted a turtle swimming just offshore. I decided to seize the moment to go for a swim, in my clothes, with my new turtle friend. It was a surreal moment.
As hard as it is to top a spontaneous morning swim with a sea turtle, bringing a little Hawaii back to our keikis may have been the best part. In the words of Frank Sinatra, “It’s nice to go traveling, but it’s always nicer to come home.”
