Intimacy. We all want it. We all crave it. We all love having it. Everyone wants to feel desirable, worthy and wanted. It’s in our genes, it’s human nature and a part of who we are. Society points a finger towards intimacy using half naked men and women on billboards and magazine covers. TV and movies show us the lives we “should” have. Heard in music and seen through music videos.
Our culture is encouraging sex, lust and body image expectations. Finding worth through status, jobs, money, relationships and social media.
I know from experience these are all temporary and quickly fleeting feelings of worth and joy. Feelings that often leave people not only wanting more but often hurting. Feeling like they’re not enough.
Abba is exceptional at reminding me that’s not who I am anymore.
My squad left La Paz, Bolivia last Monday morning to begin our travel days. The night before, we slept at the airport with heated floors. We woke up at 4am ready to make our way through the airport, only to find that our flight was changed from 730am to 615am. It takes time to get 30 people through baggage, security and customs. We were pressed for time, to say the least.
Thankfully, we all made it to the plane only a few minutes late. I was sitting in the middle of my row next to a sleeping stranger with an empty seat by the window. When the doors of the plane shut, I moved next to the window because I love seeing the plane take off. I prepared myself with music for some much needed sleep.
Our plane took off and we soared above the sleeping town heading towards the mountains. La Paz, Bolivia is the highest capital city in the world. Many of us suffered from altitude sickness when we first arrived. But from where I was sitting, it was all worth it.
The view was spectacular. I was sitting and staring at the sunrise when a song started playing that had no words. It provided the perfect moment for me to talk with Jesus. I realized He’d set this time up just for the two of us.
He changed our flight so I could see the sunrise. He emptied the seat so I could sit next to the window. He changed the music knowing at the exact moment I would want and need a song without words so I could talk with Him. This was true intimacy and I felt it.
I realized this world is a beautiful majestic creation. I am in awe more and more everywhere I go. From the sunrise of that morning to the sunsets in Jaco, Costa Rica. From the hot, flat grounds of Nicaragua to the wet, hilly jungles of Bolivia, I am amazed.
What is truly breathtaking is that in the same way God made all these beautiful creations, so are we made. So are we made like the ever changing sunrises and sunsets. Yet we are specially made. Made in His image. The night before leaving for the airport one of my squad leaders Kate told my squad how special we are and how we are His greatest creation.
Wait, what?! Can we stop for a moment and soak that in? I have seen some breathtaking scenes since traveling these past 5 months, so nothing is as mind boggling as the idea that I am His greatest creation.
Sitting atop the clouds resting on the mountain peaks of La Paz, Abba tells me I am special. One of the most beautiful scenes I’ve ever witnessed as the orange and red sun begins to wake up from behind the clouds and He tells me I am beautiful. The scene constantly changing just as our lives change yet I am worthy of love.
I’m thinking “Wow, Lord are you seeing this beautiful scene?” (I mean of course He is because He created it). He said no. Because He was looking at me. His greatest creation.
What a beautiful love story. What a beautiful way the Lord shared His glory and His love for me. In a sunrise I wasn’t supposed to see. On a flight I wasn’t supposed to be on. In a seat that wasn’t mine.
He loves so well. He gives so well. Sometimes we just need to open our eyes, slow down from the daily life and look for it.
