38,880 Minutes: In Awe of God

"All else is creation. He alone creates. All else begins. He alone always was. All else depends. He alone is self-sufficient " -John Piper

Water fused with sweat poured down my face and body. A flash of light shot across the evening sky above me. I breathed in. Contrary to the normal dusty, humid smell, the air now owned no particular scent. Maybe it smelled like renewal.

Water exploded in front of me. Twenty Indians splashed through the miniature lake in the middle of the field. They raced to get to a white, sodden ball floating in the middle. One tried to kick the ball but missed, sending him into a slide through the water.

I stood, enjoying every moment. How could I not? The scene echoed of the glory of God. Only God could make my first football game this memorable.

My friend Jesse

Americans call the game soccer, but I don't care what it is called. God has been teaching me about His glory these past few weeks in India. Here, in the steady rain of Asia I can see it while we play football.

The ball plops in a puddle next to me. Rex, one of the teachers, soaking wet, rockets for the ball. I laugh joyously, shaking a congregation of water droplets from my hair.

Just in time, I kick the ball away from our goal and back into the lake that once was the middle of our football field. More explosions of water proceed. The ball flies by me, past our goalie, and a eruption of cheers are raised from the offense.

Having a waterproof phone case comes in handy

Jesse, my friend and goalie, smiles at me and shrugs. Another flash of lightning screams across the sky. Yes, this is a part of God's glory. I say a silent prayer thanking God for the beauty of all He has created. I thank him for the laughing, Indians friends around me. I thank him for the rain. I thank Him for the soaking wet clothes on my back. I thank Him for football. I thank Him for His glory.

I've come to know that God's glory is exceptional. Yeah, perhaps most Christian say they know what God's glory is, but could most be wrong? It that possible? I believe I was wrong. To me, the word "glory" had become just that, a word.

Here's what I learned: no combination of words could be strong enough to describe God's glory. It is too abstract, too immense, and too mystifying for words. Million of authors—Christian and secular alike— attempt to describe the experiences of God's glory in creation, yet none can totally encapsulate it's full beauty.

I could talk about God's glory for hours. I hope you could too. It is for God's glory that we are able to breathe. Your heart, whether you care or not, beats for God's glory. Within every soul on earth is a longing to give glory to God. Why? Written in the glory of God is a promise of salvation and joy that is unknown to man without it.

Jesus came to die for us. He came to bring salvation to all who would believe in him, but he came for an even greater purpose as well. In John 12 Jesus is troubled in his soul. He knows the suffering he will soon endure. In verses 27-28a he says this,

"Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!...”

Jesus knew the reason he had really come. He had come to show unconditional love to the nations that God may be glorified. That's the epitome of majestic! God answered him in 28b,

"Then a voice came from heaven: 'I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.'”

I want to glorify God like that.

Words aren't enough. I'll live for the glory God. I pray that you see it in my life. I know suffering will come my way, but I know God will glorify Himself in me if I let Him. So whether I'm playing football in India while it pours rain or I'm being carried to my death, I will glorify my God.

All glory be to God forever and forever. Amen.