How often my view can become so narrow – but the past two weeks, my mind and heart have been so opened to the things that God has been trying to show me.
Last week, our team traveled through the mountains right outside of Jeffrey’s Bay to a campsite, where we were involved with a 4-day camp called Turning Point. The main theme of the camp was “The Joy of the Lord is our Strength” and about the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control). The camp was for teenagers living in the Jeffrey’s Bay area. Most of these kids came from rough family backgrounds, struggled with substance abuse, and suffered from abandonment starting at a young age. These kids were really hard to relate to at first, and it was so hard to even get them to listen to anything we would say. It was one of the first times I have felt so much spiritual warfare and Satan continually attacking each moment of the day.
The first night was hard. We were cold, tired, and people were starting to get sick – it was stretching our comfort levels for sure. As a group, we prayed over the camp and these kids – that their hearts would be opened, and their eyes would be able to see the truth of how much God loves them.
That next morning, I went for a run in the mountains right outside the campsite. I climbed to a part of the mountain that looked over the entire camp, which was incredible to see. Something that really struck me as I was taking in the view was the fog – which was only surrounding the camp. And right outside the camp the sun was rising behind the mountains.
In that moment as I was praying, God was showing me that in that valley, surrounded by fog, represents my past, present, and future struggles. Sometimes in the mist of my struggles, I feel like there is no way out; that the struggles can become too much which in turn builds up anger, anxiety, stress, worry, and fear inside of me.
But in reality, right outside of those struggles lies beauty. God wants me (and all of us) to step back from our struggles, and see the situation from God’s eyes. The sun was rising, and the sky began to illuminate a brilliant light. God is constantly shining through during the most difficult times – we just have to step back and look.
In the following days, the Holy Spirit was transforming the lives of the kids, as well as the leaders. Some of the students gave their lives to Christ, and seeing the growth and change in them was incredible. They became so much more open to sharing their lives with us, and we in turn were able to relate and share more of our lives with them as well.
The truth of the matter is: God is always working, and He is waiting for us to step out, shine our light, and drive out the darkness around us no matter how hard it may seem in the moment.
Father, thank you for showing more of Yourself and Your heart to me. Thank you for Your sunrises, sunsets, mountains, and valleys – Your creation is so majestic and I am in awe of You. Continue to help me grow deeper in my love and adoration for You, and to keep my eyes on You through the struggles that life will bring me.
