On our first night at CICRIN we were worshiping in the outside pavilion that overlooks Lake Nicaragua and I wrote this in my journal…
It’s crazy to look out at the lake and the mountains while I worship and not only sing about the greatness of God but to also see it right in front of me. God makes Himself known in the everyday. He delivers us safely to and from work, school, and home. He protects us from sickness. He makes the wind blow and the clouds rain. Let us not take what God does in the everyday for granted. Even if He doesn’t give us anything else or answer another prayer, he’s already done more than enough. And yet He still blesses us.
I think about the times that I’ve lost hope or felt alone or been so anxious that I couldn’t move in my own strength all while knowing the giver of hope, love, and peace Himself. It makes my heart break for the people that don’t know God. When they look at the oceans, lakes, and mountains what do they see? Coincidence? An assortment of atoms? When they feel hopeless, alone, or anxious how much deeper do they feel than I? They don’t know the good news. They don’t have a silver lining in their impossible situation. Everyone deserves to hear about a God that created the mountains and oceans and them with the same hands. That they don’t have to figure things out on their own. That there is more to this life than just surviving until the next day, the next pay check, the next whatever. That there is someone that created them just to love them with nothing expected in return.
Some people might think I’m crazy for setting aside 3 months in the middle of my college career for this trip but this is why. People need to hear the good news. Not because I’m right and they’re wrong but because everyone has the right to choose for themselves to receive the free gift of God’s perfect love.
