The Apparent size of Him Who Saves

Just a few Sundays ago I was struck by the apparent size of our Caretaker. I was standing off to the side of the congregation so as to fully appreciate the entire scope of those standing and worshiping-a small bunch to be sure but a group of remarkable people nonetheless. On recent Sundays, given my relative position on the periphery I have taken it upon myself to help usher those who are searching for seats. The church was getting more and more full, in fact, I believe it was one of the greatest capacities that I have ever witnessed at Pathways (still a congregation of perhaps 150-200 on any given day). It was right then: at the point that I resolvedly began worshipping when my eyes and heart welled up with awe due to His presence. It suddenly occurred to me, gazing over the heads of my brothers and sisters, that despite of who I am and despite of what I may try and do, the Lord shows up irrespective. Of course, HE was already there to begin with; His presence is far too expansive, far too pervasive for us to try and manufacture an encounter with Him. It was at that moment, listening to Jeff carry the lightest piano riff, that I realized, certainly not for the first time, exactly how small I am relative to the size of our Maker. Certainly we have all heard of this kind of experience and if there were no implications for this sort of awe then it might blend into the myriad of Christian proverbs already in circulation. But, alas, I believe the implications are widespread. 

A reality check of just how small we truly are is important for several reasons. One implication for being in awe of our maker's infinite power and faith is the degree of surrender that it invokes. There is, of course, an entire new chapter that could be opened about the act of surrender alone but that is what we do when we come to a place that realizes the size of God relative to us all-surrender. This is part of the lesson that we are learning as we crawl nearer to our departure. We find ourselves in a place of a very surreal nature given that we have graduated from Azusa Pacific and it feels as if for the first time that the road is no longer paved. Of course the path is carved and there are still signs but we feel quite humbled with this newfound freedom and decision-that is: what to do now. Of course the way that we have answered to the best of our ability is by embarking on this new journey to Sri Lanka. And this is the point that is relative to surrendering; we are going on our knees as if to say, "Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed by thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."