The village of Enisampulai sits in a long fertile valley sheltered by two beautiful ridges on both sides. Smoke plums rise as the local Maasai are burning wheat fields in preparation for the rainy season in a few weeks. All around us stands a sheltered mountain community hours from the nearest paved road where everyone truly seems to know each other.
Two weeks ago, we arrived in this fertile, remote village. As soon as we arrived, we were served food and whisked off to a traditional Maasai wedding where hundreds from the community eagerly awaited our presence. We were given seats of honor behind the bride and groom and were publicly welcomed into the community. Then the groom, painted in orange, resembling Katsumoto from The Last Samurai, married the traditionally dressed bride, committing themselves to one another and God.
Later that evening, I ran to the top of the nearest ridge, just east of our valley. And although struggling a bit with the altitude, I passed green pastures full of sheep and cattle and potato fields ready for harvest. And soon enough, I arrived at the summit revealing chilly breezes and more farmland and forest gracing the slopes in the distance. And as I sat down to enjoy the incredible beauty before me, I began to realize more about my incredible creator. When I gaze into his incredible beauty, I’m not finding God there – He’s always with me. Rather, He loves me so much He draws me into exploring His beauty in His creation. He knows that’s who He’s created me to be, and He’s once again satisfying me in a way that draws me that much more into Him.
For a long time, I’ve been scared that my Father in heaven will take all beauty away from me – that I’ll no longer be able to continuously experience His mountains, or that I’ll never find incredible beauty in the wife He gives me. Yet I was once again reminded how much I can trust Him and the desires He has placed deep in my heart.
God knows that He’s created me with a deep desire for beauty, intimacy, and adventure. Right now, He longs for me to know that He really loves me, that I can trust my entire heart and the deep desires within. My creator wants to completely take care of me in a way I never can. And when I let go and choose to trust and love Him, I can finally see how much He really cares for all of me, inside and out!
Matthew 6:31-32 says,
“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Although our physical needs are mentioned here, I also believe He’s speaking of the needs we have deeply rooted within us. Ultimately, my heart longs for Him, needs Him more than anything else. I know my desire for this beauty and intimacy transcends anything anyone can give me, or I can pursue.
