As I was driving away from the movie theatre yesterday, my dear friend Nichole called me. She and I became instant friends during the World Race training in September. She was originally going as a participant of the World Race until the Lord started leading her in a new direction. He began burdening her heart for longer-lasting relationships and she felt herself pulled to a ministry where she could invest more of her time and herself. That’s when Tim and Erin, the leaders of the Discipleship Team approached her about joining them. After seeking the Lord, Nichole felt it confirmed in her heart that this was a good fit.
A couple weeks ago the team took off to Emerald Aisle Beach, North Carolina to ‘get freed-up’, as she puts it. They wanted some time to separate themselves from the busyness and demands of life to seek the Lord.
Nichole took off on her own one day to go for a run on the beach. Seeing a pier off in the distance, she set it as her goal. She would run the whole way there, then run the whole way back. She started the run like most of us do, with lots of adrenaline and optimism, but soon realized that the pier was a lot further off than she originally thought. She quickly felt the burn in her legs, the ache in her lungs, and her heart was working overtime. Maybe the pier was a little too far for her… maybe she could walk a little…
Then she looked out at the ocean and immediately was taken away by its beauty. The waves crashed near her feet in a steady, majestic rhythm. The soon-to-set sun sparkled life over the massive body of water. Nichole pondered on the awesomeness of the Lord- how He could create such unfathomable beauty and majesty. This ocean, so unexplored and mysterious, holds its ferocious nature at bay like a tamed giant who hasn’t lost his wild spirit. She tasted freedom as the strong wind that directed the water’s currents, blew her hair far behind her as she ran. The glory of the Lord consumed her.
She glanced ahead of her. Behold the Pier… She was almost upon it! She had been so lost in the beauty of God that she had forgotten how
strenuous the run was. She reached the pier minutes later. She told me that she threw her hands up in the air and praised the Lord. She danced around like a little girl basking in the Lord’s delight and the wonder of this shared moment with her Creator.
Then she said, “You know Jenny, that’s just how it is with God. When I was running, every time I looked at the Pier and where I was headed, I got overwhelmed by it all and didn’t think I could do it. But every time I looked out at the ocean, I was swept away by God’s beauty. Then suddenly, I looked up and there was the pier. I had arrived.”
Once again God whispers, “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or
discouraged. For the Lord
your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
