Water You turned into wine

“Joy is not an absence of struggle or sorrow, but the taste of the presence of God as he surprises us with his gracious love, whatever our circumstances.” [ Dan Allender ]

Read this the other day in The Healing Path and man did it hit the nail on the head of exactly what things have been like.

I’m finding there is an unshakable joy or peace we can possess even in the midst of challenges in trials. A gift that is not one we could have ever conjured up or strived for in vain, yet a gift that is given by the hands of the One who loves us and calls us by name.

The One who, water he turned into wine, the One who opens the eyes of the blind… There’s no one like you… None like you…

“Joy is not an absence of struggle or sorrow, but the taste of the presence of God as he surprises us with his gracious love, whatever our circumstances.”

Man, that couldn't be more true. He surprises me again and again. Reminding me more and more that all that matters is I am His, I belong to Him, I am abba's child, and Abba is a Father who takes care of His children, His beloved, His treasures.

He continues to surprise me and find me in awe. A God who is not predictable but far exceeds our wildest imagination. One who leads us through the rugged terrain of a sun scorched desert and not away from but directly into the dangers and toils, who leads us to streams in the desert and who woos us, pursues us and continues to disarm us in the warmth and safety of His embrace, the One who often invites us to a journey we find most impossible to take, yet we know deep in our hearts, is the only way to true life and receiving more and more of Him.

"Is he safe?"
"No, he is not safe. But he is good."

This song has become another battlecry. It always helps me get my eyes off myself or my situation or whatever I am facing that day and shift the focus of my attention entirely to Him, who is here. Alive. Present. It helps me remember that our God IS greater, higher than any other, higher than my circumstances, and the things that so easily wear me down. He is greater, higher than any other.

Fighting for me and reminding me that this battle I show up to fight each day is not my own, but His.

Reminding me that I can trust in His unfailing love for me. That I can place my hope, my very being, in who He is and stand in awe and worship. Each time I hear this song on the radio, that I am not alone and I have an amazing, amazing God. The One we are blessed to call Father, our God, our God.

Our God - Chris Tomlin

Water You turned into wine
Open the eyes of the blind
There’s no one like You
None like You
Into the darkness You shine
Out of the ashes we rise
There’s no one like You
None like You

CHORUS
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God…

Into the darkness you shining
Out of the ashes we Rise
There’s no One like You
None like You.

Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God…
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God…

BRIDGE
And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
What can stand against?

Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God…
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God…

And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
And if Our God is for us, then who can ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
Then what can stand against?
Then what can stand against?

Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God…
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God…