It consumed my complete view for a split second and then left a lasting impression. Hmmmmmm.
I was traveling over the bridge to shop at Costco Saturday afternoon. I know bad idea, but its been so long since I've shopped for groceries and so I braced myself and forged ahead.
Earlier that morning I had been listening to a very cool song, Oh Great is our God by Ghost Ship. I first heard it at Mars Hill Church in Seattle. I hope you download it and enjoy it as much as I do. http://marshill.com/media/ghost-ship
The song is so simple that the chorus rolls around in my head at all hours of the day and night. What a great thing!
So, I'm traveling along the bridge with Tampa Bay on each side of me. This is a ten mile bridge with very little interruption. You know, that kind of drive that you can put it on "auto" and let your mind meander elsewhere? I have this song's chorus repeating in my head over and over- Oh, Great is our God and we should worship greatly- Oh, Great is our God and we should worship greatly - Oh, Great is our God and we should worship greatly.
Suddenly, I saw a vision of God completely taking up the "screen" before me; consuming the "screen" before me. There was nothing left to distract me or anything of value compared to God in that "screen". From one side of the bridge to the other. God reigns! God is great and all that he does is great.
I instantly knew that I had allowed other things to take up space in that "screen".
To see the comparison of my thoughts to this one moment put into perspective of what God wants when he says in Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before me.
20:4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above or that is on the earth beneath or that is in the water below.
20:5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them
We all know this to be the first of the Ten Commandments. I wonder how many, like me, thought, "I don't have an idols!" , "You won't find one cement statue in my house!" , "I don't have any pictures on my walls that I bow down to!" But what if God said, "Do not let any thought consume your thinking other than me." "Don't spend your timing worrying about where you're living or how you're going to pay your bills." Actually He did say that in Luke 12:29 So do not be overly concerned about what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not worry about such things.
While I was cruising along on the Courtney Campbell bridge I was remembering how when I first moved to Florida I thought it pretty cool. The weather was always sunny and warm. I lived a life of luxury as a wife and mom. The most pressing question was what was I going to make for dinner!
Now, all the children have left home and I am running and working my own business. My hearts desire is to move West-closer to all the kids and grandchildren, but also to a cooler environment - literally and socially/culturally!
While I was driving I caught myself whining to God how I want to move West with this song, Oh Great is our God also running through my brain. It all came together for me in one big picture. God is great and nothing else matters. Wow! God is great and nothing else matters. Hmmmmmm.
Words & Music by Brian Eichelberger
Oh! Great is our God! So we should worship greatly!!
No song is too loud! No orchestra too stately
To hail the majesty of our King
So lift your voices loud as we sing
Verse 2
Oh! Great is our God! So let our songs be endless!!
So awesome His ways, how could we comprehend them?
So we will make it known to our kids
And we will sing about the gracious gifts you give
Chorus
We will sing your praise and pour forth your fame
We will bless your name
Let every one give thanks, because our God is great!
Verse 3
Oh! Great is our God! And we cannot contain it!
We sing from our souls, affected by His greatness
His mercy covers all that He's made
Showing His glory and His grace
you inspire me
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