Walking across a stage where I was the only audience in the theatre …
A sharp predawn knock on the door interrupted our much-needed deep sleep. Darkness confused my sense of orientation; where was I? The second knock brought clarity. “Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, it is time for the morning game drive.”
That’s it! We were in Africa at the Sabi Sands Game Reserve for our dream-come-true safari. Yes! Tossing aside the cobwebs of sleep, and crawling out from under the mosquito netting, I bounded out of bed. That in itself was historic—I never bound out of bed. I prefer, like the birds, to wake up slowly. Oh, but this was no ordinary day, and not a moment should be wasted.
Excitement propelled my feet to the floor where an awareness of cold concrete shot a shiver through my body. I quickly made my way forward before stopping dead in my tracks. “Oh dear. I remember being warned to wear slippers to avoid stepping on a scorpion. Yikes! But first, I must check my slippers to confirm that no scorpion nestled inside them overnight.” Details… “Happiness is very demanding,” I muttered to myself.
Moving with a blitheness defying my own person, I mentally checked off items needed for the game drive. Jacket, hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and of course, the camera. (check, check, check, check, check) What about sunglasses? Better take them, just in case.
Hurriedly, I dressed, prodding Larry along with my perceived need for urgency. Pulling on my cargo pants and long-sleeved shirt, I glanced at the clock on the nightstand. “Stay focused,” I told myself.
Now I was moving at a clip and gaining equilibrium for making my way to the lodge where a steaming cup of strong coffee awaited my arrival. I could already taste the richness. Trading slippers for boots, I sat on the teak wood couch, noting the musty smell of the thatched roof, and began the arduous task of lacing up my essential footwear.
Mid-way the job, I breathed a silent prayer of gratitude for the blessing of being here. Thanks to our dear and generous friends, the safari was a gift following our intense week of global leadership meetings near Cape Town, South Africa. Yesterday’s seven-hour drive transported us from a world of conference familiar to this world of unknown suspense. No amount of effort could quell the jitters building within me.
Whew! At last, I felt properly adorned in the khaki garb and ready for my experience in the bush. Grabbing my jacket, I bade Larry a quick good-bye. “See you in the Land Rover! I’ll try to get good seats.”
And then it happened — as I grabbed the handle and threw open the door, my world came to a screeching halt. I froze in my tracks as my eyes attempted to tell my mind what I just encountered.
My whole being whispered a holy “Wow!” In the doorway of our bungalow, I came face to face with a parade of nature, and I was completely unprepared to process the glory of it all. “ELEPHANTS! ELEPHANTS!” I screamed. In spectacular display, God stopped time and offered me a private viewing of His glorious creation. Not in a zoo, not in a circus, but in their own habitat, these glorious creatures paraded as if walking across a stage where I was the only audience in the theatre.
Moving from my right to my left these mammoth beings steadily marched, intent on one purpose: water. Huge, medium, baby—at least 50 of them—all varieties comprised this eclectic herd. Some had tusks, some did not. Their tails flipped and their ears fanned while their trunks danced back and forth. The grace and speed with which they moved defied belief. Mesmerized, I gazed upon the grandeur. Oh, I felt small, so extremely small.
Overwhelmed, I came face to face with the unfathomable greatness of God as I stood captivated by this heaven-sent drama. Using the elephants, my Father threw back the curtain of my hitherto limited understanding and drew me to Himself. The portrayal of His greatness through this expression of His wild creation caught me completely off guard. Never would I again be the same. In spellbound worship, I could only utter, “Good Morning, Africa.”
And all these years later, I still stand still in my mind each time I remember. “His greatness no one can fathom” (Psalm 145:3).
Living with Eternal Intentionality®
When did God reveal Himself to you through an encounter with nature?
How has this continued to remind you of His love for you?
