The biggest way the Lord speaks to me is through the outdoors.
Maybe that’s why I feel so good when I get out of the city. Maybe that’s the reason for the unexplainable peace and joy I feel. I’ve often joked with my friends when we go backpacking that “I belong out here.”
Maybe that’s just my heart experiencing closer unity with the Father, which of course is where I belong. It makes sense then that I would feel the most “alive” while experiencing God on a deeper level.
I read Luke 12 the other day. The verse that tugged at my heart was Luke 12:27-28 where Jesus said to his disciples “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like ones of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you- you little of faith!”
The context of this verse is how Jesus was giving encouragement to his disciples. Telling them not to worry about their life, what they will wear and what they will eat. He is giving examples of how God has provided for the birds and for all of nature. It made my soul so pleased to think how beautiful and detailed all of nature is. The flowers how they smell, the trees how they exhibit peace and stability, the brush providing homes for various animals. I love it.
I was able to acknowledge how well the lord has provided for nature with space and good soil and how He has created even richer soil for our lives. We need to notice how nature grows naturally and effortlessly, “it does not labor or spin” – This takes me back to the popular verse “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
If God chooses to furnish the land with trees, plants, flowers, birds, insects and animals and has continued to provide and dress them well.. Then we should believe that he will provide so much more for us because we are so much more valuable than them.
Luke 12:24 “consider the Ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable are you than birds!”
I’m a naturalist and what that means for me is that I feel God most when I experience nature.
When I’m out climbing around and surrounded by trees I feel deeply at peace. I recognize now how little I should worry and stew on things. I see how nature flourishes in its natural state. The sun has never failed to reach them and the rain always comes.
It’s beautiful just as it was created. It requires no enhancements and neither do we.
Jesus said “not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” -What’s awesome about the bible is that we all have the freedom to interpret it however we want.
This piece of the verse made me melt. I felt that “intimacy” people are always talking about because I’m actually in love with Gods mind and heart. I love what he loves. I’m flattered. I feel romanced.
(It’s that silly feeling of excitement you get when you have something in common with a man you’re interested in.)
When He said “not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these” I felt how much God cares for the windflowers and how little he cares for worldly things like Solomon’s attire. How highly He must think of the things which He created within those seven days! And how little the rest is. I love this because personally, I’ve met too many men with overgrown egos who value all the wrong things. I cannot express how deeply that disgusts me. I feel they can’t relate to me, they won’t understand who I am because they don’t value where my heart is.
Just think, how good it feels when you meet someone new. Sure it’s great if they’re attractive but love is so much more than that! We know this! Looks don’t bond people together and I believe that’s because God didn’t create it to be that way, and why would he? He loves us, He wants us to experience something deeper.
It’s not enough to have a great father figure in your life to teach you how a woman deserves to be treated. It’s not enough to have awesome parents who displayed honor and respect during your childhood.
Gods love is different.
It’s better.
It’s flawless.
It’s not condemning.
It’s holy.
It’s real.
Best of all it’s something free that was created for everyone to experience.
It’s for all the father-less women out there.
You realize that with Christ you’re no longer broken. You aren’t flawed, you’re perfect in His image because He is perfect and He chooses to dwell inside of you.
Wow.
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I’m going off on a rabbit trail here, so I’m sorry if I didn’t complete the original thought in this blog very well. I hope you see my heart and what the Lord is doing in me.
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While blissfully exploring I prayed that God would bring me back to my roots of what matters most. That God would continue to provide for me and keep my feet in good soil. I thanked Him for creating me with such a great appreciation for the outdoors.
I fell in love with Him for maybe the first time because I love what He stands for. I love what He has created. I love and I trust His intentions. I love how He shows He’s thinking of me. I love how He’s blessed me!
& I know He is pleased with my heart. 🙂
I fell in love with Him firstly because of who He is, secondly because of the fact that He chooses to love me. Not the other way around. My first reason for choosing to be in love is not defined because of the other persons love for me.
I choose him for who he is, what he believes, what his actions show, what he defends and for what he promises- not just because someone told me “he loves me and I should love him back.”
It’s a relationship. You have to get to know him, trust him and choose him.
“I love not man the less, but nature more.” -Lord Byron
I apologize for the rabbit trail. This blog went in an entirely different direction..
Nevertheless, I’m in a really good place and I cannot wait to share this experience of being romanced with other woman who need to experience it too.
Month five, exploring Malaysia, falling in love? –Check.
