To Make Much of You

 

I just got back from RUF Winter Conference, and I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend my weekend. On Friday afternoon, after class, we loaded up the cars and left Nashville--bound for Fall Creek Falls state park in Pikesville, TN.

As we pulled out of the Vanderbilt parking lot, I was still feeling more worried than excited. I wasn't worried about the conference itself or any of the wonderful things it entailed: time with friends, the chance to worship to absolutely incredible worship, or spending time outside in the gorgeous spring-time weather we've been getting to enjoy here in the middle of February. Instead, I was worried about the days following the weekend: Monday and Tuesday. In the first two days of my week, mid-terms will hit with full force.

But as we continued to drive across East Tennessee on our way to Winter Conference, I slowly began to let go of my worries and enjoy the trip. The sun went down not long after we started our drive, and bright pin-points of starlight broke up the dark night sky. They were such a welcome sight because in my little corner of Nashville, the city lights are usually too bright to see the stars.

In our two hour drive, it was as though we fled civilization. We left the bright bustling city of Nashville, and when we reached East Tennessee we departed from the interstate. We drove through little country towns where fields full of sleeping cows lined the roads. And finally we entered the state park and drove slowly up into the mountains on a road bent and broken with countless hairpin turns. We even got lost for a little while and followed the incredibly long "scenic route" that actually wasn't very scenic in the dark.

We finally arrived at the Fall Creek Falls Inn, deep in the heart of the park, and without cell phone service or city lights it felt so far away from the rest of the world. Making it absolutely the perfect place to retreat from all of my stress about all the little things that populate my life.

After unloading the car, we made our way inside the main part of the Inn. As we walked through the doors we were greeted by the sound of hundreds of voices singing in unison to the old, familiar "Arise, My Soul, Arise." Worship had already started, so we hurried to join in. From the back of the room, I noticed so many familiar faces. Winter Conference was open to RUF groups from across the southeast so many of my sweet friends who go to Auburn and Alabama were there. Surrounded by my new college friends as well as close friends from back home, I couldn't help but smile. And as we all worshiped Jesus together, I knew that it was going to be a really incredible weekend.

In the few days of Winter Conference, we enjoyed sunshine and seminars, game nights and large-group worship. The whole weekend was wonderful, but one moment in particular stands out against the rest.

On Saturday afternoon, we were given free time that lasted from just after lunch until it was time for dinner. The free time activity that my friends and I chose, was the hike to the park's namesake waterfall: Fall Creek Falls.

In celebration of a sunny 70 degree hiking day in the middle of February, I donned Chacos and running shorts and set off down the trail with my friends. The trail we chose winds its way down a wooded hillside, through an open green valley, ultimately arriving at the base of the falls.

When we rounded the final bend in the trail and the falls came into view, I was absolutely taken aback by the torrential downpour of water, thundering over a dark rock-face, and landing in a deep blue-green pool below.

In that moment I was so humbled, to realize that this waterfall, with its natural beauty and power, is just a diminutive reflection of the beauty and power of my God who created it. To see the continually flowing water cascade nearly 300 feet down the face of the falls, reminded me of how big God's hand is in creation and how small I am in comparison. It was one of those refreshing moment when I realize how insignificant I am in the grand scheme of things.

In the routine of everyday life, it's so easy for me to get swept away in the stress and responsibilities of meetings, tests and papers. It's easy to feel like my success at these sorts of things is the end-all-be-all of my existence. It's easy to forsake the things that really matter for things that are far less important.

But to stand and gaze at the wonder of creation that reflects the wonder of my God, I couldn't help but feel that the things I worry so much about are actually incredibly insignificant. In a moment like this, I can't help but feel my own insignificance.

And normally that would be a painful realization. Our society tells us that we must prove our significance through our success so that we will be worthy of love and attention. But in truth, I am not ever going to be able to earn significance. I am unworthy, but I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am the precious creation of my God, my all powerful and fully loving Creator. And even in the midst of my sinful insignificance, Jesus loved me enough to redeem me. Without his love I am unworthy, but through his redeeming love I am made worthy. And it's moments like this that remind me that it's when I'm faced with my insignificance that I can see more fully, the be beauty of my God.

" 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."
                       2 Corinthians 12:9

Yes, I will boast all the more gladly in my weakness, for when I see my comparative insignificance I become more fully aware of the glorious significance of my God.

I'm reminded of Steven Curtis Chapman's song, "Much of You":

"How could I stand here

And watch the sun rise

Follow the mountains

Where they touch the sky

Ponder the vastness

And the depths of the sea

And think for a moment

The point of it all was to make much of me

Cause I'm just a whisper

And You are the thunder and

I want to make much of You, Jesus

I want to make much of Your love

I want to live today to give You the praise

That You alone are so worthy of

I want to make much of Your mercy

I want to make much of Your cross

I give You my life
Take it and let it be used

To make much of You

"How could I stand here...and think for a moment the point was to make much of me?" When I come fact to face with even the slightest reflection of the glory of my God, I am humbled by my insignificance in comparison to Him. And I am thankful for that. I rejoice that my God is strong when I am weak. My God is sovereign when I am powerless. He is loving when I am bitter. His grace is persistent when my heart wanders. And my God is faithful when I am faithless. His perfection covers my flaws, and my insignificance is made worthy in Him.

So I will rejoice, and make much of Jesus. I will celebrate mercy, grace, and unfailing love. I will rest in the knowledge that my God is greater and more glorious than I can fathom, and yet he loves me unconditionally. I have no need to prove my significance, for when I am weak, His power is made perfect.