This blog is about a month late, but I still wanted to share it. During my time in Thailand, I had the opportunity to visit Phi Phi Islands with my squad. Phi Phi Islands has some of the most amazing beaches in the world – white, smooth sand and crystal clear water. It was so, so beautiful.
If you know me, you know how much I love the ocean. My heart thrives and I feel most alive when I am by the ocean.
Our adventure day to the islands consisted of riding on a boat far into the ocean, snorkeling in the clearest water I’ve ever seen, and spending time at different islands.
As I stood at the front of the boat on our ride back, I felt the wind blowing through my hair, the warmth of the sun on my skin, and stared in awe at the beautiful sunset in front of me. I loved that moment in time so much.
[Photo Credit: Logan Cahoon]
As I stared out at the ocean, I couldn’t help but notice how big and vast and deep it is. And then I realized… The ocean is just like the Father in so many ways.
Big. Vast. Deep.
Just like the Father. He is so big, so vast, and he goes so deep.
Did you know that we have only discovered 25% of what is inside the ocean? There is so much more we have yet to discover. I think it’s the same with the Father. We have only tasted such a small part of the Father’s goodness. We have only experienced such a small part of Him. There is SO MUCH MORE.
I didn’t expect to experience the Father in this way during our adventure day, but I’m so glad I did. He always meets me where I’m at, whether I’m in the darkest valley or the highest mountain, He’s always there with me. He’s always teaching me, loving me, guiding me, and helping me through it all. He is so faithful.
I had a vision this month that I want to share with you. This is what I wrote in my journal right after I had this vision:
As I went to my quiet place with the Lord, I found myself on a private, calm beach with Him, like I always do. I was really anxious for some reason. I don’t know what I was anxious about but I was freaking out a little, and He was trying to calm me down. He pulled me into His arms to hug me and whispered in my ear, “It’s okay. Just trust me. Rest in my arms. Everything is going to be okay.” Then we laid on the sandy beach together in the sun. I heard the waves crashing against the shore and felt the warmth of the sun on my skin. I dozed off in a place of complete relaxation. Then all of the sudden it started storming, and He made a shelter over us so the rain wouldn’t hit us. We sat under it and watched the rain pour down over the ocean, and the lightning storm light up the sky. Then all of the sudden, He got up and reached His hand out for mine. I hesitated, wondering why He wanted to take me into the storm, but I took His hand because I trusted Him. He led me out onto the ocean into the storm and we walked on the water hand in hand. I was scared, but I trusted Him, so I held His hand tight. The storm got worse and everything got harder. The rain was hitting my face and I was soaking wet. I felt like I couldn’t go on any longer. I fell to the ground in tears. He picked me up and carried me in His arms through the storm as I sobbed into His shoulder. Then all of the sudden, the storm stopped. The morning dew came out and the sunrise peaked out over the horizon. We sat on the water together and He made food appear. We ate together and watched the sunrise. As we sat on the water, we could see fish and whales swimming underneath us, but nothing could harm us. I knew I was safe and I felt at complete peace.
I don’t know exactly what this means or if this vision was for a specific person, but I do know that He is always faithful. No matter what I face in life, He will always be with me every step of the way. I’m so thankful for that.
Sometimes things happen that we don’t understand. Pain, heartache, disaster. It takes great faith to believe in the Lord’s goodness when we are in the midst of a dark valley. It’s just so hard and nothing can change that. But there are so many good things that come from the valley. We just have to be willing to go through the pain and trust Him through it. Because He is good nevertheless.
Will you choose to trust Him even when He takes you through a storm?
“And we know that is all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
