Nichole’s turn to blog again! All week I’ve been trying to find something new to write about, and it’s actually been kind of hard coming up with a different idea. I could talk about the community and the friends we’ve made here, but that’s already been done. I also have tons of thoughts about processing the summer and going home, but there’s plenty of time next week for that. Instead, I figured that since I couldn’t find the words, I would use the Word of God and go from there. So, I would like to share some ponderings with you over a piece of Scripture that has been stuck in my head lately, Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.”
Every week when we are in Ochi at the Silver Seas Hotel, (you should watch the video about it) I try to spend some time at my favorite spot. The Silver Seas is along the ocean, but it doesn’t really have a beach. Instead it’s got a pier right on the water, and off of the pier there is a dock of sorts. When I sit down on the dock and dangle my feet in the water and look out at the endless ocean, I am always overwhelmed at the awesomeness of God. I love looking at His breathtaking creation, and every week I take this time to just sit with God. Sometimes we talk, other times I just listen for Him. In these moments I am reminded of the importance of sitting still and just knowing that God is there and in control and all powerful. I have had many other moments like that in Harmons as well. Sitting in the mornings out on the deck, watching the sun dry the dew in the garden or just walking along on some of the paths up on the mountain brings these peaceful moments with God.
Each time God blesses me with a moment of silence, I am reminded the importance of simply spending time with Him. I thought at the beginning of the summer that I would somehow feel closer to God here in Jamaica. In a way I have, but it has been very easy to get caught up in spending time with friends (especially now that the end is drawing near) and I forget to stop and talk with my Savior. In these precious moments I always start thinking about how blessed I am to be called one of His children. I often wonder how people live without Him and without the hope He brings. Even being in this community of Jamaicans has shown me the importance of dependence on Christ. Without Him my whole being here this summer is pointless, and without Him many of these Jamaicans would have nothing to lean on. While not all Jamaicans are Christians or believe in God, the ones I have encountered who do have faith are so incredibly strong. The hardships they go through and the struggles they face have given them a reliance on God that I can only pray to have.
This week is drawing to a close and we are preparing to spend an extra day in Ochi as a staff. Next week we are released from our summer staff duties and are given a few days to say goodbye to our friends. Then we fly out on Friday and head back to the States. I definitely plan on leaning on God as much as possible and spending some extra time with Him. If I don’t, I’m not entirely sure how I’ll make it through leaving this place that feels like home.
I guess this isn’t much of a blog, but I just wanted to share the importance of such simple things as being still and knowing that God is there. I feel like many times it’s easy to get distracted when you are trying to do the right thing and follow Him, causing a loss of focus from simply being in love with Christ. So no matter where you are in life, no matter what country you’re in, no matter what struggles you’re going through, “be still and know” that He is God and the rest will begin to fall into place.
Every week when we are in Ochi at the Silver Seas Hotel, (you should watch the video about it) I try to spend some time at my favorite spot. The Silver Seas is along the ocean, but it doesn’t really have a beach. Instead it’s got a pier right on the water, and off of the pier there is a dock of sorts. When I sit down on the dock and dangle my feet in the water and look out at the endless ocean, I am always overwhelmed at the awesomeness of God. I love looking at His breathtaking creation, and every week I take this time to just sit with God. Sometimes we talk, other times I just listen for Him. In these moments I am reminded of the importance of sitting still and just knowing that God is there and in control and all powerful. I have had many other moments like that in Harmons as well. Sitting in the mornings out on the deck, watching the sun dry the dew in the garden or just walking along on some of the paths up on the mountain brings these peaceful moments with God.
Each time God blesses me with a moment of silence, I am reminded the importance of simply spending time with Him. I thought at the beginning of the summer that I would somehow feel closer to God here in Jamaica. In a way I have, but it has been very easy to get caught up in spending time with friends (especially now that the end is drawing near) and I forget to stop and talk with my Savior. In these precious moments I always start thinking about how blessed I am to be called one of His children. I often wonder how people live without Him and without the hope He brings. Even being in this community of Jamaicans has shown me the importance of dependence on Christ. Without Him my whole being here this summer is pointless, and without Him many of these Jamaicans would have nothing to lean on. While not all Jamaicans are Christians or believe in God, the ones I have encountered who do have faith are so incredibly strong. The hardships they go through and the struggles they face have given them a reliance on God that I can only pray to have.
This week is drawing to a close and we are preparing to spend an extra day in Ochi as a staff. Next week we are released from our summer staff duties and are given a few days to say goodbye to our friends. Then we fly out on Friday and head back to the States. I definitely plan on leaning on God as much as possible and spending some extra time with Him. If I don’t, I’m not entirely sure how I’ll make it through leaving this place that feels like home.
I guess this isn’t much of a blog, but I just wanted to share the importance of such simple things as being still and knowing that God is there. I feel like many times it’s easy to get distracted when you are trying to do the right thing and follow Him, causing a loss of focus from simply being in love with Christ. So no matter where you are in life, no matter what country you’re in, no matter what struggles you’re going through, “be still and know” that He is God and the rest will begin to fall into place.
1 comment:
Awesome thoughts Nichole, and thanks for the reminder to be still and know...
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