Awestruck by a Holy Creator God
There has always been something about the Amazon that enthralled me. As a child I dreamed of going there but that was all it was, a very far-fetched dream... So imagine my excitement when I learned that our journey will take us right to the famous river and forest.
In the airplane on the way to Manaus I was already blown away by the sheer magnitude of the river from above, just to realize that it is only an artery of the big river! To add to the excitement the plane literally landed in the middle of the forest!
Our two weeks, first at the YWAM base outside of Manaus (surrounded by forest and next to a river) and the second on a slow-boat to Letitia was to say the least a huge privilege. Being a person that utterly loves the outdoors, it felt a bit like I was in heaven (well, let's believe that there are no mosquitoes in heaven...). I have always found it very easy to see God in Creation, I love worshipping God in the mountains, at the ocean, in nature. But the past two weeks He has amazed me by showing me, without sounding too cheesy, a whole new world.
Big trees, an array of beautiful butterflies, birds I've never seen before, huge ants, plants that are alive, glorious sunsets, to hear the rain approaching, insects that I could not even have imagined, fish with teeth, miles and miles of trees and river...
And the wonder of it all, to realise that this is but a glimpse of the reflection of God that there is in Creation. A brief revelation of His glory. A moment of His diversity. A celebration of His creativity.
If we truly believe in the God that created the earth and everything on it, and if we can be awestruck in a few days or even in one moment, on one piece of earth; surely the concept of having a heavenly mindset should be second nature. God IS Holy!!!
Francis Chan puts it like this; the greatest good on earth is God Himself. Our God surpasses any good or beauty that we can observe with our human eyes. In fact, He created it!
Being awestruck by Him means I also realise that nothing on this earth can compare to Him. It calls us to a life of full commitment to Him, no doubts! It reminds me that nothing should concern us more than our relationship with Him, it is eternal!
It reminds me anew of the wonder that He sent His Son to earth. Jesus, through whom everything was created, was humbled to walk on earth. And that because of His suffering, Jesus became the perfect leader; our High Priest that allows us to enter into the inner sanctuary. That we can boldy come to the throne of the God that created this entire earth and all its beauty and wonder and splendour. (Hebrews 4) Wow! Thank you Jesus!