Yesterday my family went hiking at Eagle Falls near Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe. The lake is a place of indescribable beauty and I understand why people from all over the world go there. But just "going to the Lake" misses so many other things. So many people that live here have never even driven around the lake to get a different perspective. They haven't gone to different beaches, taken a boat ride, hiked the many trails, or swam in the deep crystal clear water. There is so much they miss of the beauty that God has provided in Lake Tahoe. Kind of like the beauty we miss if we don't swim in the deep waters of God. All too often, I find myself just standing in the shallows, looking out across the lake - afraid to dive in, drive around, or hike through. And I miss so much of what God has to give me. Lately, I have been diving in, going deeper, going to the scary parts of living a fully surrendered life to God. I have felt God's presence in my life in such tangible ways that I cannot describe it. But it is like standing on the top of the mountain looking at the falls roaring over the side as they make their way towards the lake. It is a whole different perspective than standing in the shallows of the beach looking up. And when I swim out to the deep waters, and I get scared and think I will surely drown, I find that when I call out to God, he is there and he gives me strength to keep swimming and I am no longer afraid.
The grace part comes in when I fall back on the grace God has given to me. I am no longer afraid of sharing my faith, of telling people just what God has done for me and how real he is in my daily life. I have been listening more and obeying more when I hear that voice in my heart telling me to let someone know I am praying for them. I have a new boldness that I never knew existed and it is all due to the grace of God. I am so thankful for his beauty, that draws my heart close to him and for his grace, that draws his heart close to mine.
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