Last weekend I went away with the GBU (Groupe Biblique Universitaire). We were supposed to leave on Friday afternoon, but the heavy rain and flooding meant that a new location needed to be found. Thankfully, we were provided with a new location and set off on Saturday morning for Aix-en-Provence. The rain continued but it didn’t stop it being an excellent weekend. I was reminded of how small the world is by the fact that the speaker became a Christian at Jesmond Parish Church!
The theme was about our identity in Christ. It’s interesting because I’ve been thinking and praying so far for what the point of this year was, what my purpose, goals and ambitions are, and the phrase ‘Devenir ce que nous sommes déjà’ (Becoming who we already are) popped up in one of the talks – this idea has been following me around during my time in France and I really think it’s applicable here. It’s amazing grace that we are loved unconditionally and beyond comprehension as who we are right now, but at the same time, as Mumford and Sons put it, ‘You were made to meet your Maker’. At the moment, I have taken a step out of ‘real life’, I’m away from my friends and family, it’s the perfect time to reflect upon who I am and whether I’m moving towards God’s good plans for me, living life as he intended it to be – to the full. Food for thought.
The intense weather situation didn’t stop over the weekend either; Tuesday night saw the Promenade des Anglais closed due to gigantic waves crashing onto the road. Whilst this was slightly inconvenient at the time (a three and a half hour journey home from school is less than ideal), it did make for spectacular viewing. The next morning was calmer but the beaches were still closed. When the sea is choppy the water becomes a great milky green colour, in contrast to the usual azure blue. Instead of extending a few metres out, it was this beautiful colour you can see in the background of the picture all the way to the horizon. Going for a run along the Promenade, watching the waves crash upon the rocks was so refreshing, and when ‘How Great Thou Art’ came on my iPod, I ran that little bit faster, reminded of the awesome power of nature and gratitude to our creator God.
One More Step Along The World I Go... 