I live near an airport, and when we first moved into our house my oldest son was enamored by the jets constantly flying over the house. Military jets, commercial jets, cargo jets, and the list goes on and on. He'd go out and lie on the trampoline in the backyard for hours on end and just watch them as they flew by. But over time, something happened. The rumble of the jets, the sight of the jets coming up over the horizon- it all became just routine and familiar to him. The wow factor- gone. The hours spent in amazement on the trampoline- gone. That is- until I took him to an air show.
We stood out on the tarmac together, and the first time one of the jets fired up and roared overhead, I look over and my son has absolutely lost it! He had both hands clenched and held high in the air, he was jumping up and down like a chihuahua on crack and yelling at the top of his lungs, "THIS IS INCREDIBLE!!" I kid you not, I could hear this little guy over the thunder of the jet's engine. Everyone around us turned their attention from the jet to the little guy- just going for it.
What was all of that about? Proximity. To my son, the jets became familiar because he began to just see them as "far off." But when he saw a jet up close, when he felt the thunder of the engine shake him- it changed everything.
Our challenge in the ministry and especially if you lead in the area of speaking or in worship is to not grow too "familiar" with God. In so much of what we do, there is a danger in thinking we have this thing figured out, when the truth is even the most intimate things we know of God don't even scratch the surface of His greatness. So it's all about Proximity.
When was the last time you got close enough to the heart of God that His glory thundered in your soul? When was the last time you stood alone, in view of the greatness of God, and responded to Him with both hands in the air, declaring His greatness?
We need to keep ourselves close enough where the Glory of God thunders in us at the level of our souls. We need to pray as Moses prayed, "Now show me Your glory" (Exodus 33:18). And the great thing is we are set up to experience Him that way. We have "Christ in us," our hope and glory.
"The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word." Hebrews 1:3
Let His Glory THUNDER!
Fantastic post!
Posted by: Kris Sorensen | March 17, 2008 at 09:22 PM
I had a "thundering" moment just yesterday. I just want to weep with the amazement of it all. My bible study facilitator, mentor and friend has said my thirst for the Truth is why I am having so many AHA moments.
I am also reading "The Shack" by William P. Young right now and there are times when I am so overwhelmed by the grace of God that I need to just weep with thankfulness that I found my way to the Lord. This book also made me realize I am just scratching the surface of God's Greatness.
I look forward to reading more posts from you.
Posted by: Bonnie | March 12, 2008 at 07:23 AM
Having lived directly under a DFW flight path, I know exactly what you're describing: after a while you don't even hear the sound of a 757 as its shadow covers your backyard. And, what a great description of your son's unbridled excitement. Well said, Pace.
Posted by: Mac Richard | March 12, 2008 at 07:05 AM
Pace! I'm so excited you have a blog..now I can hear a lot more of your great wisdom that i've missed so much since HS! I love reading Sarah's blog and look forward to reading more from you.
Hope to see you around at Easter!
Janelle
Posted by: Janelle Whittington | March 11, 2008 at 10:31 PM
But how? How do we feel God this closely? How does one get closer to the heart of God? I think I've only had a few moments in my life where I truly felt the glory of God thundering in my soul. I have little moments every day. But a thundering? Not very many of those. And I want to have more.
(great question Samantha. i hope to begin to put a few of my thoughts in upcoming post. if anyone has some thoughts, shoot me comment and i will post it.)
Posted by: Samantha | March 11, 2008 at 09:43 PM
I loved this illustration. So true. Welcome to blogging!
Posted by: jenny | March 11, 2008 at 06:06 PM
Great stuff! I'm going to love coming here to read what's on your heart.
Posted by: Scratchin' the Surface | March 11, 2008 at 05:03 PM
I love what you have written so far and have e-mailed my son's youth director with your blog site data. Keep up the good work!
Jackie
Posted by: Jackie | March 11, 2008 at 12:02 PM
I am here from Sarah's. I am also the worship leader at my church.
I appreciated this challenge! Thanks!
Posted by: momrn2 | March 11, 2008 at 11:36 AM