I am an analytical detail person with a predominantly photographic memory, which means my mind is constantly busy taking in almost every detail I encounter, consciously and sub-consciously, analyzing it and storing it for future use. It’s exhausting. Sometimes when I ask my husband what he’s thinking about, he will answer, “nothing”. I ask him every time, “How do you do that? “ I can never manage to think of ‘nothing’. Sometimes I think this is a curse – then I am reminded: Genesis 1:27 tells us – So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. The deeper I go into God and His Word, the more I am aware that this is indeed part of His image. He is so very detailed. And although I know that about Him, I am thoroughly wrecked at every new revelation. I am humbled at the thought that the God of the Universe would not only commune with me, but share His heart and mind with me. I am in total awe at the layers of detail in everything He says, does, thinks……. He has really, absolutely thought of everything.
Consider this one example: the name ‘Barabbas’ means ‘son of a father’, a generic name since we are all sons/daughters of a father. To paraphrase – the meaning would be ‘son of man’. Matthew 27:15-17, ‘Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” ‘ The crowd, of course, chose Barabbas, a known and convicted criminal. Jesus, pure and innocent Son of God, went to the cross in exchange for Barabbas, wicked and sinful son of man. He took the punishment and the guilty went free. God did not leave any loopholes for the devil to use. He covered everything, literally and figuratively. MIND-BLOWING!!!
Mind-blowing sounds a little odd, doesn’t it? I would normally use the word ‘awesome’, but so would everyone else….for everything ….. The dictionary defines ‘awesome’ as: inspiring an overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration, or fear; causing or inducing awe. Sadly, we have diluted some powerful words in our vocabulary to everyday slang and they have lost their intended impact. So let me put ‘awesome’ in context as related to God …..
Revelation 4 describes a scene for us of worship that takes place day and night for eternity. When I first heard this as a child, and even into adulthood in my ‘Christian infancy’, my thoughts were, “Oh my, what could there possibly be to worship about for eternity?” (Gasp) Fortunately, God is too comfortable with Himself to be offended. I think He was chuckling to Himself, thinking “Just wait, my child, until you get to know me better.” Of course, He was right. With each new bit of knowledge or tid-bit of revelation, with everything He has done for me and with me, just for the measure of His love for not only me, but every one of His creations – I am compelled by overwhelming awe and gratitude to praise Him anew. There are not enough powerful adjectives in English or any other language to convey the awesomeness that is God. The lyrics to a well-known song by Lonestar sum it up:
I don’t know how you do what you do
I’m so in love with you
It just keeps getting better
I wanna spend the rest of my life
With you by my side
Forever and ever
Every little thing that you do
(Jesus) I’m amazed by you
(Cover photo by Colin Fahrlon license)
