I Encountered God.. Message Received...

In the last several weeks I have had a string of events that have uniquely allowed me to encounter God. In my busy life, the daily grind and routine can effectively distract me enough to miss God even though His presence is all around. Let me explain what I mean.

Tara, Ian, and I decided to hike the Grand Canyon several weeks ago. The grandeur of the Canyon if you have been is unforgettable. If you have never been, you are cheating yourself out of one of life's greatest awe-inspiring experiences. Go!!

The immensity, the beauty, and all that the Grand Canyon is makes it so difficult to capture in words. There I saw the all-powerful hand of God. What kind of God could create such a place and what kind of God could manage it day and night for generations? In my heart, I felt ashamed when pondering this because I reflected on how often I let my puny problems dwarf my faith in God.

So as I hiked down the Canyon I joked with God, "Yeah God you are big enough to create and manage this Canyon but my problems are just too difficult for you." Then I smiled because I was encountering God's still small voice telling me to trust Him. After all, what could I ever face that is too difficult for Him? Exhibit A in the class for the day was the incredible journey we all had that day in the Grand Canyon. Message received God.

Next, a couple of weeks later, I found myself in the Caribbean. Again the soundtrack of my busy life was on mute and I was getting a chance to recharge. Suddenly the familiar voice of the Captain of the cruise ship over the load speaker noted that at that moment the ship was some 130 miles from the closest land and in water approximately 18,000ft deep. What a contrast, having faith in a Captain I have never met, knowing I am on one of the biggest cruise ships in the world whose weight alone if not for the mystery of buoyancy would sink so fast under its mind-numbing tonnage, yet I was confident she would float and all would be well.

As a result, after the Captain concluded his announcement I heard my soul's Captain's voice.

Who knows the ocean's depths, who holds all its creatures in perfect balance, who controls its waves, and whose providence allows men to safely traverse her great expanse? Trust me Nate! I am so powerful and able your understanding cannot comprehend, nothing you could encounter is too difficult for Me. Exhibit B, can you comprehend how I designed the oceans, filled them with life, and carefully manage it all?

Again, I was humbled to think how great my God is. He is so great! "How is it that He can manage all this?" I said to myself. I was also encouraged by this because when I view life through the correct lens the correct perspective on life comes clearly into focus. Message received God.

My friend, this summer if you get a chance to take a vacation and turn off the busy soundtrack of your life. Look up, look around, be still, and encounter God in a new fresh way. He's all around us. He longs to speak to us. His creation cries out and reveals how great our God is. When you hear His still small voice, listen, and hopefully you say as I did, Message Received :-).

" I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?"

Jeremiah 32:27