During my stay in Zambia, God gave me the wonderful opportunity to travel to the southern part of the country and visit Victoria Falls; I also spent some time in Botswana enjoying a river and land safari.
My visit to Victoria Falls reminded me much of my own personal walk with God. Growing up in NH I became accustom to waterfalls. As a family we would hike to, take pictures at, wade behind, and swim beneath waterfalls on a regular basis. Growing up in a Christian family, I had become accustom to the Christian life. I had "talked" the Christian talk since I could talk; I had walked the Christian walk from day one of my life. My clothes, my music, my speech, my actions were entirely Christian in culture as well as belief.
The closer I got to Victoria Falls, the more overwhelmed I was by the magnificent water fall. I could hear its roar from my hotel door and its deafening sound grew as I walked closer. With each bend in the path, I kept thinking "It can't possibly get any more beautiful than it is right now!" However, I was mistaken as each new view point became more and more breathtaking. Finally, at the point you see in the picture above, my eyes filled with tears as I realized that my God-the One who died for me and directed my every footstep-had created this indescribable work of art for me to enjoy. I have never been moved to tears by creation before or since this time. I couldn't get over the greatness of my God.
The closer I grow in friendship with my God, the more deafening His goodness, sovereignty, and love grows. When I am tempted to doubt His leading and control in my life, I simply look at the magnificence of His character in familiar Scripture passages and my fear and tears turn to joy and peace. Each year that I walk with my God, I see this familiar Being in unfamiliar ways, and my understanding of His greatness grows. I can say with the song writer that truly, "every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before!"
When I taught middle school, I would randomly stop class and remind my 8th graders that they were ready for 9th grade when they were 1). curious about the world around them, and 2). daily asking themselves "who is my God?"
Are you ready for today? Who is your God? Are you so comfortable and familiar with your Christian walk that you need a new perspective of Who you serve? If so, what will you do today to see God's magnificence, grace, and love as it really is?