A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
John 13:34-35
Today I had the opportunity to go on a 4 mile hike with 10 wonderful ladies on a bachelorette weekend extravaganza! Some of these ladies I was meeting for the first time and others I have know for many years and have shared many burdens, joys, and tears together. Between the beautiful Pine Crest Lake, surrounding mountain ranges, the fellowship, and glimpses of community I was in total awe of God.
As we drove up through the mountains today I was captivated by Gods beauty. Just in awe of his imagination and his artistry. The green trees covering the mountain ranges and the water dancing back and forth from the wind I was just amazed. I even made the comment that I just felt so incredibly small in comparison to this big big world. It seems like once you get outside of yourself and the little world you live in the world gets a whole lot bigger. Then I was reminded that if he cares for all of this beautiful scenery…..imagine how much his love is for you. That his love is just overflowing for you and that the plans he has for you are just so incredibly grand. While sometimes they are unexpected and incomprehensible they are so grand!
Then we went on a 4 mile hike around this beautiful lake. As if it wasn’t enough to just sit on the shore and stare in amazement…..God had me hike around his masterpiece. But not alone. In a group of about 10 women. This weekend was the celebration of one of my sisters last few weeks of single-hood. So about 10 minutes in I was thinking “what in the world did I get myself in to??” I was feeling tired and a little frustrated. I hadn’t exactly brought all the things that I needed. I forgot to bring shoes, socks, hike friendly clothing….but guess what…God provided every need today. As we continued on the hike I watched and listened as this blended group of women started to bond and started to watch out for each other. We all started to say things like “watch out for that rock! Be careful of that puddle of mud!” All I could think about was community. All I could think about was Gods people working together….learning to live and learning to love. I want to do that. I want to learn how to love….genuinely love Gods people. I will humbly admit that this is not my strongest area. So again here God is showing me that he will take me through his beautiful backyard to teach me how to love his people. And yes, I am still willing! This is going to be the most challenging thing I think I have ever done in my life. But I know that the fruit that will come of it will be amazing.
