Tears for the sky

It was an ordinary evening, just like any other.
Well, no, actually it wasn’t.
None of my evenings are ‘ordinary’ anymore. How can they be when I live in ‘La Antigua,’ Guatemala and every time I step outside I see volcanoes!? My evenings are far from ordinary and yet after a few weeks they have a similarity to them, a pattern and yes in a way they are becoming more normal and a little ordinary.

I have been feeling a little frustrated and challenged by my life here, despite knowing that God has called me.
But some days are just tough, and I question all of it;
‘Why?’
‘What for?’
‘Will it be worth it?’

On this particular evening I went onto the rooftop to reflect and pray. I have come to value just being outside and looking out over Antigua and at the volcanoes, like sentinels standing watch over their quaint little city. Dark silhouettes against the backdrop of a setting sun and almost night sky.

However, this time was different. God presented me with a gift that brought tears to my eyes. I hope I am not alone in being so moved by the beauty God paints in the sky that for a few moments I am lost to everything and all I can do is stand in His wonderful presence and weep. Please tell me that there are others out there who find the sky utterly breath-taking, completely fascinating and full of God’s glory!?

As the sun set across the icy blue sky it made more prominent the edges of the dark grey clouds with an array of intense yellows, deep oranges and soft pinks. It was almost an impossible combination of colours and movement (any description falls short as do any photos I could take in an attempt to capture this moment).
I continued to watch, frozen where I stood, gazing out in awe as God painted with shades, colours and with a stroke so captivating, that seemed outside the realms of nature.

This alone was beauty enough to move me to tears, a gift only God can give. Yet He had more. With God there is always more!
As I stood in contemplation an eruption of volcanic lava and a cloud of intense black ash and smoke appeared. Volcano Fuego reminded me of his presence, and my humanity. It was not the first time, nor the last, that I had seen Fuego show off his power and strength. It was a display of his life and activity in this world. A subtle yet firm reminder that in my humanity I am somewhat small and feeble in comparison.

A volcano is a symbol of how nature is wild, unpredictable and at times deadly, and for me a demonstration of a God whose creativity is unrivalled. Creator God who designed a world with a complexity and beauty that we can only marvel at.
This gift was fleeting, it lasted only a matter of minutes, yet it was beyond priceless and will forever be unforgettable.

All of my doubts and fears were quieted in this moment and God reminded me of His presence and His deep love. His calling on my life and His desire to bless His children.
My questions were answered;
‘Why?’ – ‘because I called you.’
‘What for?’ – ‘all for my glory.’
‘Will it be worth it?’ – ‘Yes, I am worth it and so are you, my child I love you.’

It was an ordinary evening, just like any other.
Well, no, actually it wasn’t.
None of my evenings are ‘ordinary’ anymore. How can they be when I live in ‘La
Antigua,’ Guatemala and every time I step outside I see volcanoes!? My evenings
are far from ordinary and yet after a few weeks they have a similarity to them,
a pattern and yes in a way they are becoming more normal and a little ordinary.
I have been feeling a little frustrated and challenged by my life here, despite
knowing that God has called me.  
But some days are just tough, and I question all of it,
why?
What for?
Is it worth it?

On this particular evening I went onto the rooftop to reflect
and pray. I have come to value just being outside and looking out over Antigua
and at the volcanoes, like sentinels standing watch over their quaint little
city. Dark silhouettes against the backdrop of a setting sun and almost night
sky.

However, this time was different. God presented me
with a gift that brought tears to my eyes. I hope I am not alone in being so
moved by the beauty God paints in the sky that for a few moments I am lost to
everything and all I can do is stand in His wonderful presence and weep. Please
tell me that there are others out there who find the sky utterly breath-taking,
completely fascinating and full of God’s glory!?

As the sun set across the icy blue sky it made more
prominent the edges of the dark grey clouds with an array of intense yellows,
deep oranges and soft pinks. It was almost an impossible combination of colours
and movement (any description falls short as do any photos I could take in an
attempt to capture this moment).

I continued to watch, frozen where I stood, gazing out
in awe as God painted with shades, colours and with a stroke so captivating,
that seemed outside the realms of nature.


This alone was beauty enough to move me to tears, a gift only God can give. Yet
He had more. With God there is always more!
As I stood in contemplation an eruption of volcanic lava and a cloud of intense
black ash and smoke appeared. Volcano Fuego reminded me of his presence, and my
humanity. It was not the first time, nor the last, that I had seen Fuego show
off his power and strength. It was a display of his life and activity in this
world. A subtle yet firm reminder that in my humanity I am somewhat small and
feeble in comparison.
A volcano is a symbol of how nature is wild, unpredictable and at times deadly,
and for me a demonstration of a God whose creativity is unrivalled. Creator God
who designed a world with a complexity and beauty that we can only marvel at.
This gift was fleeting, it lasted only a matter of minutes, yet it was beyond
priceless and will forever be unforgettable.
All of my doubts and fears were quieted in this moment and God reminded me of
His presence and His deep love. His calling on my life and His desire to bless
His children.
My questions were answered.
‘why?’ – ‘because I called you.’
‘what for?’ – ‘all for my glory.’
‘will it be worth it?’ – ‘Yes, I am worth it and so are you, Azaria I love
you.’

 

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