Lion King in the flesh

About a year or so ago, I remember talking to someone about how I would love to go on a safari someday, but had no idea how that would ever happen in my life.  First of all… coming to Africa always seemed a bit far fetched.  But, I’m here.  And going on a safari seemed like something I’d only be able to do if I made big money… which I don’t.  But, I went!  A dad of a few students from the school I work at offered to take a bunch of us teachers to a safari this last Saturday in eastern Rwanda.  We went to the Akagera National Park and it was so unbelievable.  I was so amazed at what I was seeing… zebras, baboons, impalas, water bucks. giraffes, huge birds, cape buffalo.  I saw them all.  We were in a jeep filled with 12 people and drove right up to the animals; close enough to get a good picture of them!  After a while, a few of us hopped on top of the jeep to ride and take pictures.  It brightened up the scenery as we entered a huge vast field filled with different types of mammals.  Amazing.  God is so creative.  We got super close to some zebras and a few giraffes.  They are so beautiful!  We had a picnic right in the midst of all God’s creation and enjoyed every minute.  Up until now, I believe the Lion King is about as much knowledge as I had of this extreme wildlife.  

Sometimes I can’t believe how BIG God proves to be.  I live my life in a hurry to get to the “good” parts but I forget to stop and see how God has created and formed everything that is good around me.  There is a whole other world over here in Rwanda!  One so different from what I’m used to, but look at the artistry only 3 hours away from where I live!  How could I be so naive to say, “Today is just another day”?  Today is not just another day… it’s a day filled with possibilities because it was created by the same God who crafted the giraffe, the zebra, and me.  It’s a day to rejoice over a relationship with the same God who formed the earth with His fingertips!  It’s a day to be humbled by the ultimate holiness demonstrated by our God who humbled himself to become a slave and die for our sins!  It’s not just another day.  It’s a blessed day in which I am grateful to have.  

While walking through a field covered with exotic wildlife, I realized just how small and insignificant I am.  So often I think this life I live is about me.  Life keeps going on all around me, and yet I can only think about myself and my needs.   I am so wrong to think I was created to serve myself!  Even more, although I am small and insignificant in the grand scheme of things… I am still loved by my God.  He finds pleasure in me because he created me.  I can’t believe it!  I’m just this little girl in a big huge world, but I have a Heavenly Father who is crazy about me :)