I think if I were to go back and read each of my blogs that described the country I was in, I could probably find a sentence that says something close to "[Insert name of country] is such a beautiful country and I am so blessed to be here!"
Well, guess what? Tanzania is a BEAUTIFUL country, and of course, I feel blessed by being here. While Ireland has incredible green landscapes and ocean views, Tanzania has some really stunning mountain scenes. Every country that God has allowed me to see contains countless unique fingerprints of His divine creativity.
I believe that God created us as unique individuals and that we all experience God in different ways. At training camp, we were given a list of the different means through which some people feel most in touch with God. Here's a quick summary:
- Aesthetic instinct– You see God in tradition, art, architecture, sound, smell, beauty, order, dignity and solemnity. The agenda is Majesty.
- Experiential instinct– You thrive in "feeling" God's presence and intimacy. The agenda is Joy.
- Activist instinct– In serving God, you experience Him. You might build or join activist organizations and seek transformation and change. The agenda is Achievement.
- Contemplative instinct– You focus on the interior. Prefer prayer as listening as opposed to talking. The agenda is Listening.
- Student instinct– Studying the word and knowing God is essential. Proper doctrine is priority. You enjoy books, discussions, and look for good teaching when finding a new church. The agenda is Truth.
- Relational instinct– "Together" we feel and meet God. You join groups for sharing and prayer and dislike solitude. The agenda is Love.
- Naturalist instinct– You find God outside of buildings in the rivers, trees, and oceans. Psalm 8 orientation–everything in nature points to God. The agenda is Creation.
Most people fall strongly into at least two categories.
Without a doubt, I am a student and a naturalist… But I'd like to focus on the latter of the two.
The more and more God shows me his creations, the more and more I stand in awe of Him.
How do you know that there is a God? Why did you first believe in Him?
I get asked this question a good bit by unbelievers both back home, and here on the Race.
My answer is almost always the same.
Look around you. Look at the stars and the moon. Watch a sunrise or sunset. Listen to the roar of the ocean. Stand in awe of the mountains that tower above you. How can you NOT believe that there is a Creator and that He is our God??
It's like God is saying "Look at Me! Here I am, just waiting for you to notice me!"
And once you notice Him, once you really, really believe He's there and put your trust in Him, He just takes a hold of your heart and puts you in a place where you desire to know Him. To know this wonderful God who creates so many wonderful and breath-taking things. This God who wants to captivate you and love you for eternity. This King. This Father. My Jesus.
Don't you dare let yourself believe that this world's beauty is all a coincidence.
"When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that your care for him?"
Psalm 8:3-4
"O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways."
Psalm 139:1-3
Photo courtesy of Google. Not me.
Unfortunately, due to the lack of a strong Internet connection, I won't be able to post pictures of this beautiful Tanzanian country. But as soon as I get a good connection, my next blog will be a photo/update blog.
Meanwhile, please visit my squadmate, Courney's blog! She's living with me this month in Tanzania, and put together a photo blog of a day in the life of ministry in Tanzania!
http://courtneycondon.theworldrace.org/?filename=tanzamonium
