A Nugget Worth of Admiration: Victory Series, Part 31
I had never seen such splendors. Who would had thought that visiting Nugget Point, one of the most
southerly points in New Zealand, would fill us with such a sense of awe?
To the right of the point, an Octopus-looking rock protruded out of the ocean,
it's long algae tentacles swaying with the current. It was as if we were
receiving a big algae-arm-welcome to our destination. The horizon was
astoundingly blue, and we might have even had a hint of Antarctica in the far
distance. At the end of the point, the lighthouse stood proudly, keeping watch
over a scattering of rocky islets: Hence the name, "Nugget Point"!
Beneath us, to the south, the ocean seals played in the water, popping their
heads up amongst the Nuggets. Some lay on the rocks, lazily taking a sunbath and
enjoying the moment for what it was. In the near distance, a colony of gannets
could be heard nesting on a rock, while some flew overhead. The coastline at
both sides of this rocky protrusion was astounding, especially as the tides
rose.
As we took it all in, we couldn't help but praise the Creator Himself, and I
pondered with King David, "When I consider your heavens, the work of your
fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that
you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?" (Ps 8:3-4 NIV)
With my heart rejoicing in the presence of His creation, I couldn't help but
say, "God, You are truly awesome!" And with this thought, I was transported into
worship.
Worship is truly a heart healer. It's really sad that so few of us experience
this kind of awesomeness on a daily basis. Although we are desperately in need
of filling our heart with gratitude towards our Maker, and although we hunger
for His embrace, we tend to wander away, content with our dull existence.
To tell you the truth, so many of us are looking left and right for the love of
our life, never realizing that it can only be realized in the One who is
patiently waiting for us! The union we crave is not in a fellow human being.
Sooner or later we will be disappointed as we will start noticing some of their
annoying habits and mannerisms. The One we crave for is the One who longs for us the
most: God Himself! And He will never disappoint us!
Worship, the act of adoring our Maker and Savior without restrictions, is not
only a heart healer, it actually fills us with adrenaline and changes our dull
existence into exciting ones! We have Someone who unconditionally believes in
us, and that Someone is none other than the King of Kings Himself! Wow!
Simply showing up in church on Sundays can never come close to the real act of
worship, nor is singing Christian songs. Honestly opening our hearts to the One
who cares for us, pouring out our love to the One to whom no sacrifice for us
was too great, we can expectantly look forward for His forthcoming tender
embrace. He will not only commune with us, but He will fill us with a sense of
awe. Only then will we realize that He is truly the One we are longing for. Nothing
else can even bleakly compare to Him!
Out of our lips will flow a realization: "You are truly the One I desire!" Then
chains will be broken, prisons be opened, real life enjoyed.
To admire such a perfect union from a distance, we can explore the book of
Psalms, where we will find the heart of worship. Every song in this book has a
different beginning. Some are joyful, others are mournful. But nearly everyone
of them end up in worship. This is no accident!
If we only could learn to worship, despite our circumstances, life would be
quite different! No bondage could keep us in misery, no discouragement could
take hold of us, no discontentment could take root in our heart. If only...
He is the Only One who can give us rest and freedom! Meditate with me upon these
snippets from the Psalms and ponder where your life is leading you. Are you
content? Or are you desiring for something more?
Why not try the real Lover of your soul?
"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him." (Ps 62:1 NIV)
"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in
safety." (Ps 4:8 NIV)
"I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my
deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge." (Ps 18:1-2 NIV)
"You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure
in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and
contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." (Ps 51:16-17 NIV)
"In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Ps 56:11 NIV)
"Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided
heart, that I may fear your name." (Ps 86:11 NIV)
"I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me." (Ps 120:1 NIV)
Who is the One you truly love?
Rob Chaffart
