Promises

A few days ago there was a Hindu festival taking place at the Buddhist stupa. The stupa is- well I don't know much how to explain it- It is a massive structure where people go to worship. Not only do they worship it but the idols and gods that surround the structure. Many karmic practices take place there. 

Leah and I took our cameras to the stupa, which is in close walking distance from our apartment, to capture photos of the people at the festival! Boy were there people. We'd heard there would be many; I don't think I'd be taking it lightly to say a couple thousand. People PACKED everywhere! Shoulder to shoulder we made our way around taking in the sights, sounds and smells (usual for Kathmandu).

The crowded stupa

Beautiful Nepali Hindu woman

Tibetan Buddhist women

Nepali children

As we walked around we were not really sure at all how to pray or what to even say. The weight of darkness was felt overwhelmingly. The battle of how exactly do we go about prayer to what exactly is our role here? 

We made our way back to our apartment not long after being there... Our hearts were SO heavy. We sat on the balcony of the 4th floor overlooking some of the city and the stupa. To our eyes- we could see God's glory radiating from every aspect of the view. We asked ourselves how anyone could miss the beauty of His creation? How could people give praise to anything other than God when the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world surround them, in a valley, with a big sky painted blue and puffs of clouds blowing above? Truth is, their eyes are numb to it. I see God's glory because I know God.

One of my favorite stories I've got to hear Bekah tell a few times is about an encounter with God she had over a span of time in her life. This story fits so well into what happened next in our day....

Bekah's told how as a child she felt like God was her Daddy. How sometimes she'd lay in bed and feel as if God was wrapping her up in His big strong arms. She said as she got older she realized God is not only her Daddy but her Friend. When she needed comfort most, during trying times, He was there to put His hand on her back and show her peace. But my favorite of all of Bekah's meetings with God was when she realized He is not only Daddy and Friend, but He is Lover! She said there was an evening she was outside, alone, looking into the dark night sky talking to God. It was just Him and her chatting. When a lightning show took place in front of her eyes, just for her- no one else around! She felt as if God was showing off only for her to see- just like a lover shows off for the one he loves. He is our Lover- God shows off for those He loves!

That day as us three girls sat on the balcony of the fourth floor lifting up the people of Nepal, God proved to us that He is our Lover! He showed out in a big way by showing us one of His greatest promises He gave to the earth- Genesis 9:12-13:

And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come. I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth."

The neatest thing about the story is that no rain had fallen at all that day! It was as if God was not only wrapping us up in His arms and putting His hand on our back, but he was showing out for us... Promising us that He will not destroy all of life on earth again. Instead He has bigger plans. Plans for all the nations to proclaim His name in one voice! Plans to get glory from every nation, tribe, people and language. Revelation 7:9-17:

...Salvation belongs to our God,

who sits on the throne,

and to the Lamb...

Amen!

Praise and glory

and wisdom and thanks and honor

and power and strength

be to our God for ever and ever.

Amen!

...they are before the throne of God

and serve him day and night in his temple;

and he who sits on the throne

will shelter them with his presence.

Never again will they hunger;

never again will they thirst.

The sun will not beat down on them,

nor any scorching heat.

For the Lamb at the center of the throne

will be their Shepherd;

he will lead them to springs of living water.

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.



 Beautifully said.

-LauraLBrown