Looking back on 2011, it felt like a roller coaster ride. God had brought me to the highest heights of joy, and walked me through some valleys of despair and loneliness, dark and deep. Yet through it all, He has been my Constant, my Unchanging Guide. And He has taught me how to give thanks, when there seems to me so little to be glad about; He has taught me that sometimes, when I feel the most empty, I am filled to the fullest with His strength and grace. And in the changing winds of times and storms of events that can take me by surprise, He has proven His faithfulness, as the Firm Anchor and Center of my life.
Yesterday, while browsing through a shop, I recognised a song God had used to lift me up on a Sunday afternoon, when I was drained from a day of serving and 'acting cheerful' in church. I was dragging my feet to the bus stop, wondering how long more could I go, running on empty...where has the joy of my salvation, and the delight to see Christ in every child that I greet, flown to? I passed by St George's and somehow the voices of the worship leaders practising inside drew me in. I wandered into a church not my own, and sat quietly at the back, praying that my asthmatic cough wouldn't act up and spoil the beauty of the music and rich ambience of peace in the quaint red brick church.
And then this song came... and somehow it lifted me up from the slimy pit of self-pity, weariness and depression...and pointed me to the Indescribable, Uncontainable and Amazing God that I am serving, and Who is, even now, sustaining me and working through me, to know Him and to make Him known.
From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation's revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathom
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
Incomparable, unchangeable
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same
You are amazing God
You are amazing God
Suddenly, I felt so small, before the Creator of the Universe, all powerful and untameable, incomparable and unchangeable. And yet, I felt safe, because I know He loves me and hides me in the shadow of His wing. All that I am, all that I have, are safe in His hand.
Sometimes, we may cry out to God for help, for answers, for strength and healing. But in His wisdom and love, He gives us not what we ask for, He gives us something much better--Himself. And we realise that, in the end, what that truly matters in life, isn't a thing, an ideal or a state of being, but a Person, Who has been with us and will always be with us till the end of time.
My Disciple Group leader asked this question quite a number of times, "We know that we will have an eternity to live after we leave this earth, the question is WHO would you like to spend it with?" Would you spend it with Him who has made you, loved you and called you by name?
2012 may not be an easier or calmer year... but there are anchors in my life that will hold on to me in the dark and trying storms. Anchors of unchangeable truth and unfailing love...
...God is good.
...God is in control.
...God is Emmanuel, He is with us.
Yes, I will walk with my Lord and rest my trust in Him. I pray that you will too :-)
