Encouragement from God

These past three days I have been at high school retreat at my school. High School retreat is when the Senior class takes on a leadership project and plans a retreat for the whole high school and is in charge of the whole thing.... from food to small groups, transportation and games (I go to a private Christian school with only about 300 in the high school). This was my second year and I must say it was 10 times better than last year! I actually felt God's presence....I felt it.

The first day I got there, Wednesday, me and my friends really didn't want to bet there and honestly I was really struggling with having a good attitude. I felt really self-conscious not wearing makeup (see my previous blog post) and Wednesday night I was considering just borrowing my friends makeup and putting some on the next morning. But, when I woke up and went in the bathroom the next morning, all the girls mirrors were covered with posters that had Bible verses and quotes written on them about how beautiful we are because we are a fragrance of Christ. There was a senior girl in there explaining that none of them were wearing makeup or fixing their hair and they wanted to challenge us to do the same, and focus on our true beauty that shines from the inside out.

That was God.

He knew that I needed that bit of encouragement because I was struggling so hard and come on, we all know it can be hard to look your best with 25 girls sharing one bathroom! So that day most girls did take their makeup off and threw their hair up in a pony tail...and you know what? They didn't look that different at all! In fact, many looked better. It showed me that God designed us so beautiful and seeing girls natural faces was refreshing and made everyone feel a little better. But wait, it gets even better. A lot of the boys were telling us how they liked us better without makeup! One popular boy even said he thinks girls are prettier when they go natural and are confident in their own bodies.

So, thank you God for that encouragement and reassurance that I am doing the right thing by giving up makeup!

How did I feel God's presence?? By worshipping him with the voice he gave me. I love to sing and believe music is so powerful and beautiful! And, on retreat each night we had a worship session and preaching that was amazing. The last night, we were singing and worshipping our amazing God and I truly felt Him there with me. As I lifted my hands in worship, I closed my eyes and sang my heart out to my Savior. I can't remember a time that I ever felt God more than I did Friday night...I'm talking a major spiritual high! But you know what? I don't want to lose that high, I want to be on fire for God ALWAYS, and that is going to be my prayer.
I encourage all of you to find how you feel God's presence in your life...singing, praying, reading your Bible, or being a leader. What is yours? Because once you find it...you'll never forget it.