I absolutely love the fall. Nothing is more beautiful to me than driving through the mountains and arriving at my hiking destination. The warm colors just drape around you like a cozy blanket! I’m always glad my husband is driving because I just want to look. It’s like staring at a beautiful masterpiece that God Himself painted. The brushstrokes are carefully placed to create just the perfect backdrop for any photo we want to take. But let’s get real – pictures do not do it justice. The expanse of the mountains and the cool clean air is not something you can capture in a picture. You literally have to be there to experience it!
God looks down at His creation and longs for His people to experience His presence. As beautiful as the mountains are in the fall, they are nothing compared to the One who created them. You can hear about Him, read about Him or even do things you consider to be “religious” for Him, but NOTHING compares to experiencing Him for yourself. He’s designed us to want that relationship with Him. It’s naturally in our hearts, but we have to accept it. The very One who created you and knows you better than you know yourself is inviting you to experience His abundance.
People can tell you about Jesus, in fact, Christians are supposed to. The Bible says in the book of 2 Corinthians that we are Christ’s ambassadors. God is making His appeal through us. We have been given the ministry of reconciliation. I have to ask myself – do I represent Jesus as He truly is? Am I showing people the love and acceptance of Christ? Am I reminding them that He’s the healer of all wounds, the friend that sticks closer than a brother and the very foundation this world is built upon? I want to show the world such a beautiful picture of who Christ is that people can’t just hear my story. They want to run to Him themselves! He’s waiting with wide open arms! He wants to write your story.
The book of Jeremiah (NLT) tells us, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Isn’t that worth running to? The very One who created this earth and puts the sun in the sky wants to give you His goodness! He’s putting together His story and He wants you to be part of it! A life walking with the Lord is kind of like hiking in the beautiful mountains. There’s beauty like you’ve never seen before, there’s peace flowing like the wonderful rivers, and there are surprises like the waterfalls just around the corner. Yes, there are hills to climb too, but you’ve got Jesus, Himself, cheering you on as you overcome obstacles in your path. Life is so much easier with the One who actually knows the end of the story.
History belongs to God because it truly is “His story.” There are so many people He crosses our paths with, so many places He takes us, and so many blessings He wants to shower us with. It is no accident you are who you are. God planned it that way. We all are different paint strokes that work together to create this wonderful masterpiece called life. He uses every experience in our lives to shape and mold us. He wants to conform us into the image of His Son, Jesus. This is the Master Artist and His Magnificent portrait.
Today’s writer is Brandi Crowe. A hairdresser for over 25 years, she is currently the owner of Brandi Crowe salon in Buford, GA. She loves hiking, a good cup of coffee and spending time with family and friends. Brandi lives in a custom farmhouse with her husband, Robby and cat, Harold.
