Since being on the race, I have come to learn how much God communicates with me through nature. I have always loved the outdoors and in building my relationship with Him these past three months this love has turned to an adoration and longing to be amidst His creation. This week I decided to ask God what He had to say about my team mates and I prayed over an aspect of nature for each girl. Here is what He had to say about His daughters.
Josie- WIND, she is the catalyst for setting beautiful things in motion, Josie is BOLD in starting conversation no matter where or when. She is constantly encouraging people along and giving them that little push that they need to get started. Wind is bold, strong and fierce but also soothing and peaceful and God has gifted her both of these abilities.
Moriah- A GROWING TREE, trees grow in 2 directions both deeper and more solidly grounded in the soil and outward stretching its branches further into the sky. These growths take place simultaneously and a tree without roots can’t stand. Similarly, we can’t spread the love of God if we are not pursuing a deeper relationship with Him. Moriah has exemplified this balance in her growth over the past few months She has grown closer to God and deeper understood His love for her while learning to step out in boldness and love others in the way that the Lord calls us to. She serves and loves out of an overflow, from the nourishment of her roots in Christ.
Eliza- WILDFLOWERS, wildflowers are not maintained, contained, or limited by gardeners, they grow as their name tells wild and unapologetically. They do not rely on any earthly power to nurture them, sustain them or help them grow but only by the grace of God they are given their sustenance. He provides the rain water and sunlight, Eliza knows through and through the sufficiency of Christ in her life. She walks in abandonment and depends on her Heavenly Father in all things, she is His wildflower.
Grace- A RIVER, rivers faithfully flow in one direction, they are steady and not stopped by the rocks that so often attempt to block their passage but instead flow with ease over the rocks affected by but not prohibited by the bumps in the road. God has given Grace a gift of steadiness and faith That is not dependant on circumstances, she continually keeps her eyes on Him in all things and seeks Him always.
Steph- THE OCEAN, the ocean conceals within its depths, vastly diverse treasures and forms of life. In the same way Steph hides God’s word in her heart and God has filled her with the gift of wisdom and yet she does not boast in her knowledge or abilities. The ocean reveals its beauty to all that seek it and continually points back to its creator. Steph loves on anyone and everyone and this love points undoubtedly to the God of the universe.
Taylor(our fearless leader) – THE NIGHT SKY, just as the night sky has a different pattern of light to show to every person depending on their perspective Taylor loves every person so uniquely and personally. It takes lifetimes for the light of stars in space to travel to earth, similarly the Lord allows her to use her past learning experiences, struggles and testimony to shed light on people’s present struggles and walk along side them through darkness that she has experienced and grown through herself.
There are my crazy, fun loving, Holy Spirit filled team mates. What a blessing they are during a season in which God has called us away from our families, He has given us this family to do life with! These girls celebrate my victories with me and aren’t afraid to say the hard things even when I don’t want to hear it. I have loved laughing with and learning from them for the past three months and I can’t wait for six more months with them and a lifetime full of sisterhood
