So this happened forever ago, but I thought I would make a post about it to preserve it in case I should forget (though I highly doubt I ever will!)
Back in March, during Spring Break, I had the opportunity to go on a mission trip to Port St. Joe, Florida with my church in Opelika. During the course of the trip, we did a number of different things for the community, including construction, painting, cleaning, community outreach, among others.
One clear night, I decided to go down to the beach to stargaze and hear the calm waves of the ocean flow up onto the sand. I was quite happy to see that the cross we set up at the worship service that evening was still out there! I decided to go sit under it, and there I prayed and gave thanks to my Father and my Savior. The experience was totally overwhelming! I looked up at the sky and saw the millions of bright stars strewn out about the universe, God's own doing. It was as though I was looking upon the face of God Himself! Sitting under the cross, a symbol of my Savior's death that freed my life, while looking up in awe at God's amazing Creation is an experience that cannot be described in words. At that moment, I KNEW that my God whom I pray to and worship and try to follow is REAL, without a speck of doubt in my whole being. None of that is in vain. He is watching and he sees my heart and he knows my struggles and triumphs. He knows what I do for Him and when I forsake Him. He sees this, and although my heart and flesh consistently fail He still chooses to love me and give me more chances than anyone deserves. What a great Father!
It was a chilly night, but I didn't care. I was so overwhelmed with passion that I couldn't help but sing love and praises to my Lord and thank Him for all He does in my life and the life of my loved ones. I may not have a lot, but I have so much love in my life that I need nothing else--I have God, I have Jesus, I have the Holy Spirit. I have my family and my friends. I love the life the Lord has given me!
God bless!
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed His love for among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him." 1 John 4:7-9
