The most beautiful place I've ever seen

The most beautiful place I've been to was a forest in Costa Rica in the Arenal Volcano region. I remember rapelling down waterfalls, jumping into rivers, and feeling the cool breeze send chills down my body. At the end of this adventure, I hiked away from the river into this mysterious forest ground. I could hear heavy rumbling all around. As I got closer to the end of the path, the rumbling grew stronger and stronger. The grounded started to vibrate at each step, and small shots of fear quivered down my body. It must be a big waterfall, I thought. As I took a few more steps, I had a feeling of fear and awe. Whatever it was, it was going to be beautiful.

I turned the corner and I could see the source of this wonder. I remember staring in awe. My brain sent a flush of emotions to my body; I wanted to jump, scream, run, cower, smile all at the same. Instead of doing any of that, I just stared while trying to process what was before me. There was a steep cliff, about 100 feet high and 30 feet wide hidden in the middle of the forest. A heavy flush of white water crashed down onto the rocks while the trees and fungi sparkled in the mists of impact. If you looked up at the right angle, you could see a crisp rainbow with clearly defined colors. With each step forward, my fear and awe for this natural beauty grew. I mustered up some courage and touched part of the falling water as the mists started to engulf me. I wanted to be a part of this nature, not just observe it. The water crashed down on my hands, my arms, and then my shoulder. I rushed back out realizing it was too great for me to touch.

I stepped back again, and at that moment, I appreciated God. I imagined God carefully crafting this waterfall to teach people like me what it meant to "fear God." I thought about the power of God, how he made the earths rumble, the waters fall, the rainbow present, and even the fungi sparkle. I realized that I was looking at the creation of God, and I began to understand God's power. I marveled at Him with fear, with awe, and with reverence, and it was much stronger than the fear that I felt when I first experienced the "most beautiful place" I've ever seen.

"Fear the Lord your God and serve him. Hold fast and take your oaths in his name. He is the one you praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes." - Deuteronomy 10:20-21