This morning we woke up to a true torrential downpour. Our clothes out on
the line were soaked, some had even blown away! There was rain coming through
the windows, and no refuge from the cold, damp wind. We did our best to keep
our belongings dry, but most of our efforts were in vain.
As our attention turned from our immediate need of keeping out the rain
to the anticipated arrival of Kuya J, Ate, W and the Alabama Medical Clinic
team, we began to work that none of the villagers would be willing to risk the
rain to see the doctors. “God is sovereign,”
someone said in passing.
It struck me then how often I use that phrase without truly
acknowledging my helpless estate. In all my efforts to keep dry, I can’t stop
the rain. We hurry about making plans to ensure we accomplish God’s will, all
the while failing to see that God will accomplish His will despite our plans.
But how great is our God that He has given us access to Himself- the one who
commands the dawn to take its place, the one who calls the stars by name, the
only one who the winds and the waves obey! We need only to ask and He has
promised that we will receive!
We speak so often of God’s power in our future troubles- “No matter
what lied ahead, God is sovereign!” But how often do we look around while the
rain pours and acknowledge that we have no ability to close the flood gates?
True recognition of God’s complete and present sovereignty should humble us to
a place of total submission and prayer. But what a joy is ours that we are
never along in the storm because the One how pours out the rain was Himself
poured out for us and in return asks only that we abide in Him. God is truly
sovereign but in His sovereignty He longs for us to bring all of our requests
before Him and invites us to play a role in His redemption story even though we
are the true “Waray Waray” the nothing of nothings… the very least of these.
How great is our Sovereign Lord!
-Kaylee