If I could be a Disney princess, I would totally be Pocahontas.
For real though. I have always loved nature, spending time outdoors, and really feeling the majesty of God's creation. During one of our sessions, Ron talked about the pathways to worship. God wired people differently in a lot of things, and the way they feel the most comfortable worshipping Him is no exception. Ron talked about seven different types of worship pathways, and balanced them with caution about taking them too far. He told us that we would identify with at least two pathways, and that we shouldn't feel guilty about worshipping in a different way than someone else. He also encouraged us to explore different pathways and not fall back on what's comfortable all the time.
Sometime after this session, it was announced that one of our squadmates would be leaving Training Camp and not launching with us. It was really tough saying goodbye to Sasha. I had gotten to know her on video chat and Facebook, and it killed me that she wouldn't be a part of U Squad anymore. As we surrounded her and prayed over her, it felt like a funeral. Her leaving hit our squad pretty hard, especially since this was the day after "that night." All of the emotion I had felt the past few days overwhelmed me and I just sobbed and hugged squadmates, needing comfort. At that moment, I felt so broken down and emotional. Everything that had happened the previous few days caught up with me. As we walked to lunch, I felt beyond emotionally exhausted.
After lunch, we decided to hike up to Toccoa Falls, which are found on campus. I remember feeling very eager to see the falls, hoping that I would feel something other than this emotional low. As soon as I laid eyes on the falls, I teared up. They are so beautiful! I listened to the pounding of the water, the laughter of the stream, and the songs of birds. I gazed on the falling water, the frothing of the pool below, and the rainbows in the mist. I smelled the water, the dirt, and the rocks (yes, they do have a smell!) and as I stood there, I just soaked it all in. God totally wired me to worship Him through nature! Every time I get out in nature, I notice the tiniest details and marvel at what a Creator God we have! And the coolest thing is, He SPOKE all of this wonder into existence! Everywhere I look, I see His hand on the natural world and I cannot help but worship Him for it!
Just looking at the falls wasn't cutting it though. Me and some other squadmates jumped in the pool and swam closer to the falls. And as I felt the mist of the falls hitting my face, it was as if God Himself was caressing my face and telling me how much He loved me. For if a mighty, all-powerful God cares about the tiniest detail on the smallest leaf, how much more does He care for me, who was made in His image? How can you look at the majesty and the glory of creation and not fall in love with this God who created it and holds it all together? How fitting that the culmination of my emotional healing during the first part of the week took place in nature. He knew what I needed and provided an oasis for me and spoke to me through it. What a mighty and loving God we serve!
