Sunday Wisdom: Trust

25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29 “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

-Matthew 14:25-31

This passage is always hard for me to read, because I see myself in Peter way more than I wish I did. There are so many areas in my life where I am of 'little faith' and don't fully trust that the Lord will provide. Or better yet, that I do not have faith in the path that the Lord has so clearly provided for me.

I love that Peter calls out to Jesus for a clear explanation of what to do, and even when Jesus is standing right in front of him and instructs him to do something, Peter still panics in the ability for Jesus to lead him and begins to sink. I think we can all relate to this in so many ways - I can think of numerous times when I have called upon the Lord for guidance and wisdom in a situation, and when I feel the Lord has provided me a path with which to approach the situation, I doubt the path He leads me to.

Who am I do doubt the power of an all-knowing, all-powerful, almighty God?

The path the Lord provides us with will always be the best path, no matter what we are thinking in that moment. As I reflect upon my life so far, it is so clear to point out instances when I listened to the Lord's call for me, and when I didn't. And guess what? The instances in which I did not follow are the instances that are embarrassing, shameful, and sad to remember. And the instances in which I did follow, though they were extremely hard in the moment, are the instances that have led me to some of the best friendships, best relationships, and best experiences I have ever had.

Last Friday night, I had the amazing opportunity to witness 20 UVa students be baptized at a local church. It was absolutely incredible to hear what each of these students had to say about their decision to be baptized, and their excitement to begin their walk with the Lord. It was so encouraging to hear these newly recognized believers share their stories without a stammer of hesitation in their voice. They were as confident in beginning their walk with the Lord as Peter had wished he could have been in this story.

Happy Sunday! 

Sunday Wisdom: Beauty

Royal splendor radiates from Him; a powerful beauty sets him apart. -Psalm 96:6

A couple of weeks ago on my birthday, I decided to do a sunrise hike. This is basically a combination of things I really don't enjoy - hiking in 30 degree weather and waking up at 4:30 am. However, when we finally reached the top of the mountain, I was absolutely dumbfounded by the splendor revealed to me.

My boyfriend snapped this picture on his iPhone - that's right, an iPhone. No abundance of megapixels or Photoshop in this image - when we arrived at the top. 

How absolutely amazing is that? 

Ever since we finished the hike, I have found myself revisiting this picture. And every time I look at it, I am at a complete loss of words to express the thanksgiving I want to express to be made in the image of a Father who has the power to make this landscape, this sunrise, and this universe happen every day. 

I mean, look at that beauty. The sky, the mountains, the rock. It is flawless.

Each of us is made and formed by the same God who created this. 

How comforting and humbling is that? 

To think that the Lord gave us as humans the complete reign over his magnificent, beautiful creation is only a small glimpse of how much he cares for us. And to think I sometimes get caught up in things like body image seems absolutely ridiculous when I look at the beauty the Lord has provided us with.

On top of that, this beauty is not even a sliver of the beauty God instills in each and every one of us. He views us, His children, as more precious than this landscape. 

So God created human beings in His own image. -Genesis 1:27

This is ridiculous. We say it all the time, but take a second to think about it. God's image is perfect, is as flawless as this beautiful sunrise. We are carefully thought out and made in the image of a perfect God.

The fact that God's beauty is our beauty - manifested not only in the world He gave us but also in each of us as sons and daughters of Him - just really gives me a reason to rejoice on this Sunday. 

Taken at Humpback Mountain on October 25, 2013

Also, this worship song by Phil Wickham is ringing so true when I look at this picture. 

Happy Sunday!