34 MILLION gallons of water….
That’s how much water can pour over the edge of Niagara Falls each MINUTE.
The sights, sounds, and just general experience of going to Niagara Falls is beyond amazing.
My friend, Jenn, came to visit from PA this weekend and we ventured into Canada to explore Niagara Falls, Niagara On The Lake, and just enjoy life together. I have already seen The Falls (from the American side) before, but a new realization hit me as we walked up to them Saturday.
I thought about how the 34 millions gallons of water/minute that flow over the Falls is a beautiful picture of God’s ABUNDANT love.
Just picture all that water pouring over the rocks as God’s love pouring into our hearts… even to the point of being overwhelmed at times.
After walking along and looking at the falls for a while, we decided to do the Journey Behind the Falls. There are some portals you can look out and are literally behind the giant wall of water that makes up the Horseshoe Falls.
Then, we went out on an observation deck which put us right next to the edge of the falls. Here are some pictures from the observation deck:
(There is no zoom on this picture… that’s really how close we were!)
It was during this time RIGHT next to the falls that Jenn and I had some cool faith conversations. We talked about how this was a BEAUTIFUL reminder of our baptism. We stood in awe for a while at the beautiful creation and God’s mighty power. I also mentioned my thoughts about it being kind of like God’s love just pouring over the edge and how if you’re anywhere CLOSE to it there’s no possible way to stay dry.
Just as this beautiful sight, Niagara Falls, draws in hundreds, probably THOUSANDS of visitors each day… God’s amazing love draws us in. And once we’re close, there’s no way to stay dry. The analogy continues even farther as we think about how we left Niagara Falls. Sure we had those bright yellow ponchos on, but we were definitely still WET and the people around us knew EXACTLY where we had been. That’s how God’s love is meant to work too… He drenches us to the point that his love becomes obvious to the people around us.
Even after seeing Niagara Falls a few times, I still don’t understand it… it still evokes a sense of awe in my heart and mind. It’s the same way with the wonder of God’s love. We can’t understand it… many times we even try to put on a “poncho” and escape it, thinking that we should have to do something to deserve God’s love… but no matter what we try, God is waiting for us to come close… He draws us in… and then he pours His love on us and get us drenched all the way through.
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Awesome and loving Lord, show us the wonder of your great love each and every moment of each and everyday. . For Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice is like the great deep… how priceless is your unfailing love. Lord, we trust in your unfailing love. Please remind us that as high as the heavens are above the earth, so GREAT is your love for us.
Lord, we pray that being rooted and established in your love we may together be able to grasp how WIDE and LONG and HIGH and DEEP is the love of Christ. To know this love is truly beyond our knowledge and understanding. Fill us to the measure of all the fullness of God. Teach us to rest in your love today and always. That we may be drenched to the point that your love is obvious to those around us as well. In Jesus’ precious name, AMEN!
(Psalms 17:7, 36:5-7, 13:5, 103:11-12; Ephesians 3:16-19)
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(More pictures from our Canadian adventure to come!)
joyfullyblessedblog.com 
Having lived so close to the Falls my whole life, I generally regard them as “no big deal.” They still amaze me each time I go and see them, but I don’t go see them often. Next time I go, I will never see them the same again. Thanks for the great reminder that nothing God made is “no big deal.”
Bekka: What a wonderful comparison you made between God and the Falls.I never would have thought that way but surely will look at the Falls differently next time I go,
I have to echo Kristina’s comments. And add my own two cents: You are a gifted writer so please do keep blogging!