Hello?
By Amelie (13)
Flying through the waves with the wind in my hair, I crane my neck to catch a glimpse of the dolphins diving beneath us. I close my eyes and laugh, sending a quick prayer up to God, ‘This is beautiful!’
Glimmering rays of sunshine dance on the shiny deck behind me as I lift my hands to the sky. Suddenly, I hear a whisper so quiet I almost think it’s the wind. It fills me with an emotion so powerful I can hardly translate the message.
‘I know.’
It’s His reply to my fleeting prayer. I don’t even think I said ‘Amen.’ He used no words, and He had no voice, but I knew it was God.
At the time, I was struggling with God’s plan for my future. My best friends had moved schools, so I felt like I was in the wrong place. I was confused and angry at God. I was sure that He was wrong about where I was supposed to be. I wanted to know what my future held, and I wanted proof, real proof, that He was there. Just like the chief priests and the teachers of the law in Mark 15:31 demanded more evidence, I also desired for any message from God to confirm that there was Someone out there who cares. I started having doubts about whether God actually spoke to people, or if that was just a myth. Then, during the holidays, I got to go sailing out in Diamond Harbour. It was a beautiful day on the water, and the Hector’s dolphins of Lyttleton followed us around the bay.
That was where God found me.
I encourage you to trust in God’s plan for your future, even if it seems that He has led you in the wrong direction. Proverbs 3:5 (NLT) says, ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding; seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.’
I also encourage you to go outside and appreciate God’s beauty; He may even speak to you through it. I love this Bible verse that we have learned in Science over the past few years:
‘The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.’
Psalm 19:1-4 (NIV)
The heavens are declaring the glory of God, and the skies are proclaiming the work of His hands. We just have to stop and listen.
I still don’t know why I’m at this school without my friends – maybe I’ll do something great here, or impact someone’s life. But I believe that God will make it clear to me. Until then, I just have to wait and trust in Him.
PROMPT: Take some time to head outside and enjoy the beauty of our Father’s creation. Don’t rush. Stay there awhile. Notice the intricate details and the vast array of colours on nature’s canvas. The Master artist who created all you see is the same One who created you and has carved a beautiful future for your life. As you savour this moment, release your cares to Him, and invite the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart.
PRAYER: Father, thank you that You are there for me. I don’t know what my future holds, but I know You hold my hand. When I look at all You have made, I see beauty beyond compare. I give you my life today – my past, my present, and my future . When I can’t see the way ahead, I choose to trust You. As You walk with me through the struggles, I pray that You will open my eyes to see the beautiful threads you are weaving into the tapestry of my life.
