You and You Alone

Billy and Cindy Foote wrote and recorded the song, You are God Alone. We at Carpenter's Way sing this song during worship. I love it. Sometimes it's hard to sing, because if you listen to the words it says that God is not dependent on us. Who he is is because of who he is. He alone is God, because he is God. I know this may sound redundant, but think about the implications. Because God is God, then by his very nature he is who he is. This is enough to make my head hurt.

I recently viewed a video of Dave Busby who suffered from cystic fibrosis and polio. Dave passed away in 1997. But here is the incredible part. In the video Dave declared that if he died a terrible death full of suffering God would still be God and he would still be right. Why? Because he alone is God!

Now . . . that doesn't mean we will like it. It doesn't mean we will always agree. It definitely doesn't imply that life will be easy. It also doesn't declare that we will always understand what God is up to. It's OK! These are natural responses to the unknown. It just simply means that God is still God and he is still right - He alone is God.

That's why when we are in the midst of the valley sometimes we must trust God's heart, even when we can't see his hand at work. My friend and co-laborer, Steve Sparks, reminded me that Karen's death didn't catch God by surprised. God didn't turn his back or blink and all of sudden Karen was dead. No, he was there all the time. He's still here. Working and leading me.

If you're in the valley right now, know this: God did't wake up this morning surprised to find you in the valley. He knew you were going to be there the entire time. Don't be surprised that He's been there, working, caring, leading, feeding, and protecting you all along; even when you couldn't see or feel his presence. That's what makes him God.

Take some time today to thank God for being there for you. Maybe you need to find a quiet place away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and just sit--quietly. Invite him to meet with you. Invite God to reveal his presence to you. Then, when he does, thank him, worship him. Tears may flow, that's OK. I have allowed my share of tears to flow as I worship him and feel his wonderfully mysterious presence come over me. It's refreshing. It's good!

Remember, in the valley experience God is still God and he is still right - he alone is God!

Can't always see him, but then it's called faith,

Mike