I had heard the song dozens of times. In fact, many people from all walks of life can probably say that they have at least heard the lyrics to “Awesome God.” I was no different…truth be told I was less than excited when I recognized the familiar chorus even though it was being sung in Portuguese. I had been in Maputo, Mozambique for less than a week and I was depressed. For those that know me and for those getting to know me, you know that I do not use that word lightly, I honestly cannot afford to. I found myself at a place of starring back into a pit that represented the darkest times of my life. With the utmost respect I can confidently say that unless you have personally walked through it you cannot fathom what depression does to the heart and mind.
So there I was, thousands of miles from home, friends and family. Apparently I had ordered on existential crisis of faith paired with a healthy dose of melancholy along with a side of depression. As I stood staring at the contents of this plate my ears heard some very familiar words in a very unfamiliar way. Those words were “with Wisdom, Power and Love…” I found myself giving careful thought to the ramifications of that simple line and realized that each of those words are dependent on the others to have any useful effect.
Wisdom without Power to accomplish what is needed is useless. Power that lacks Wisdom to tame it is as dangerous as a blind man with a bow and a hand full of arrows. Having both of these attributes is still of no value if there is not genuine Love that rests as a trustworthy foundation below both of them. Thus, as I continued to sing this simple line my heart began to praise God for a new reason. I am able to praise him because He contains within himself the Wisdom to know what I need completely, the Power to accomplish it perfectly and the Love to trust it entirely.
I wish I could say that this revelation was all that was needed to chase the shadows of my emotions away but that is simply not the case. however, I can truthfully say that I am at peace with my current reality. I have peace because even when I do not feel it I can be assured that I am loved by a Father that does not know what it means to lack anything and as His Child, His abundance becomes my own.
Until next time…
MB
