Over the Labor Day weekend, I joined my family on a short vacation to the mountains of Dayton, TN. While my parents opted to stay in a cozy cabin, I was more than happy to try out my new tent and sleeping gear for the first time. I’m thinking the more practice, the better, right? I don’t want to appear like a complete amateur when I arrive at training camp in a month. Anyways, I’m glad to say that the 3-day trial run was a success and I now feel slightly more comfortable with the idea of calling this tent my home for 11 months.
After working non-stop all summer, I really needed a weekend of rest and relaxation. Where better to escape the craziness of life than alone in the quiet, peaceful woods surrounded by God’s creation? I took full advantage of the opportunity to clear my head and reflect on everything that’s been on my mind lately. As I sat on the edge of a bluff overlooking the small town below, my thoughts quickly turned to the World Race and all the prep work that has come with the territory. What an overwhelming thought. In those few moments, I realized something painfully true. All of my efforts to remain diligent in this support raising process were beginning to overshadow my relationship with the God I was trying to serve. I then simply closed my eyes and recalled an often quoted passage from the Book of Psalms.
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.“
As the late afternoon sun warmed my face and the mountain breeze filled the tree tops, I was suddenly reminded of two basic truths: I am finite. God is infinite.
I know God is deeply concerned with the details of my life, but I also believe that my sole purpose in life is to glorify Him. By focusing on my present responsibilities and circumstances I was only distancing myself from God’s heart. How could I be so blind?
What does God really want from me? My worship. Nothing more. Nothing less.
I’m not even really sure what all happened after that point. I prayed. I sang. I yelled at the top of my lungs. I worshiped God for who He is. Maybe people heard me, but I don’t care. I was just glad to be in the presence of my Savior.
