One of the True Wonders of the World

My husband and I recently celebrated our 15th Wedding Anniversary with a trip to Niagara Falls. We had a wonderful time. Friends who had previously visited the falls tried to describe how beautiful they were, but their description didn’t come close to seeing it with my own eyes. It truly was a sight to behold.

As we approached our hotel which overlooked the falls, our driver asked if it was our first visit. We told him it was, so he drove right by so we could get our first glimpse of this awe inspiring creation. It was breathtaking. We stood amazed as we watched 3,160 tons of water per second spill over the second largest waterfall on the globe.

We looked down to the river below and saw the famous “Maid of the Mist.”
We watched as the tiny boat traveled nearer and nearer to the falls, fighting against the current to get closer and catch a better view of the water cascading from up above.

My husband instantly decided it was a ride we had to take, but I wasn’t so sure. The next day we walked down to the park and purchased our tickets. We knew we were in for an experience when they handed everyone a poncho. I was a little nervous and almost backed out. I am afraid of water so boat rides aren’t my favorite thing, but I wasn’t going to let fear rob me of this once in a lifetime opportunity.

We boarded the boat and headed toward the falls. As we drew closer, the roar of the water was deafening. The spray beat against our skin and drenched us almost to the bone, even while wearing a poncho. The wind whipped and blew our hair in every direction. You could feel the power of the water as it dropped from a height of 180 feet. It was incredible, exhilarating, frightening and energizing all at the same time. I can hardly find words to explain the feeling it inspired.

And to think, I almost missed it. I almost decided it was enough to experience it “from the sidelines.” After all, it was still beautiful and breathtaking from the “outside looking in.” I would have missed one of the best experiences of my life because I mistakenly thought it would be as wonderful just watching that power overflow from the precipice. Just watching however, could never compare to experiencing it.

Many of us do the same thing in our Christian walk. We know experiencing Christ is awe inspiring and beautiful, but we choose to stand and watch his power working mightily in the lives of others, and are afraid to experience that power for ourselves. His Word tells us that we have the same power available to us that God used when He raised Christ from the dead.

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 1:18-20

He wants us to call on Him. He wants to work his power within us to do more than we could ever dream. We just have to believe, ask and conquer our fear to experience Him for ourselves.

Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

Don’t miss out on the experience of a lifetime by being content to just watch as Christ works in the lives of others. Allow him to work His power in your life too. His voice may sometimes seem deafening, your hair may get whipped in every direction and you may feel drenched to the bone as he reigns down on you, but I promise it will be worth every second of the ride.