Looking Beauty in the Face
Last month (March 2017), Danny + I attended the Lighthouse High School Retreat, with the Student Life ministry of our church. He went as a Student Pastor and I went as an adult volunteer.
It was a short weekend retreat - we left Friday evening and returned Sunday morning – but it was great!
It's amazing the world you can discover just one-hour away from the city lights.
There were 6 sessions throughout the weekend that included games, a time of worship through song, and a short message.
Danny was one of the speakers. His message on suffering was very thought-provoking and it led to in-depth discussion with some of the students during our free time.
There were also messages on listening to God's voice, finding your rhythm by giving God your heart, and Joy!
This was my second camp experience ever! And I loved it. Although, Springtime had not officially arrived I was thankful for the chance to go exploring outdoors.
There was so much beauty to behold.
Aside from the thoughtful conversations we had with students, my favorite moment of the retreat was during the last session on Saturday night.
Saturday night while people were still singing songs I went out and laid on the ground and looked up at the night sky.
What I saw literally took my breath away.
So many stars. All gorgeous. All beaming. All put there for me to see and to enjoy and to know that the Creator of the stars knows me, just like He knows each of those stars (some of them dead but their light still spilling through).
My phone wasn't powerful enough to capture the night sky. But this photo by Paul Volkmer seemed a great visual to include. It was the closest fit to my pitch-black night sky with bright stars shining.
The feeling that stirred in my chest felt a lot like a panic attack, but it turned out to be awe and gratitude. I covered my face and let my body convulse with sobs of joy.
I remember saying out loud -
"God I love stars. I know they are there, even when I can't see them clearly. But to have this chance, this time to actually look at them in the face...it's a lot like loving You. I love you. I know You're there but sometimes I just need to be still and to look you in the face. And be in awe of your beauty."
It's crazy to think that God created all these wonderful things in nature for us to enjoy but most of us are too busy to enjoy it.
Nature points, so clearly, to GOD.
Let's make it a priority to look beauty in the face.