A Generalization (page 6)

I had to skip out on church the other day.  I didn't like it.  Instead of making my way straight to work I took the long drive.  I let the windows down. September's morning chill was prevalent.  It woke me up.  I made my On-the-Go playlist avoiding veering into oncoming traffic.  

Impressive.

Then turned up the music:

"When all of a sudden

I am unaware

of these afflictions

eclipsed by glory

and I realize just how

beautiful you are and

how great your affections

are for me..."

The drive didn't  hold any traffic against me.  I barreled at my 50 like I was on the Daytona Speedway. The world felt faster for me that morning.  Maybe it was the Morning's dawn breaking the rain clouds so I caught its first glimpse even though I was hours late.  Maybe it was the concert level volume.  The fact that I was shifting hard and shifting high attempting to be that Nascar driver out for a Sunday morning drive.  Maybe it's the simple fact that all the world came together for me in those miles.

"I look out the window

The birds are composing

Not a note is out of place

or out of tune

I walk to the meadow 

and stare at the flowers

better dressed than any girl

on her wedding day..."

I could have drove cross country that morning. Skipped work.  Drove till my tank was empty.  Got on foot and walked the rest.  The destination didn't matter.  It could have been heaven or the slums.  Or the five-star life.  Or the ghettos.  Those options didn't faze me.

"God is my shepherd

I won't be wanting

I won't be wanting

He makes me rest

in fields of green

with quiet streams

Even though I walk

through the valley

of death and dying

I will not fear

'Cause you are with me

you are with me..."

The Lord was with me that morning, just as He always has been. 

Have you ever known the exhilaration of the Lord being with you?

The exhilaration of sinking in His grace?

The exhilaration of love, of His All-Eclipsing Love blinding your sight like oversized aviators giving you a new hue to wonder at life through?

That morning's drive was God's love eclipsing:

1. All I knew...

2. What I saw - everything: the three towns I drove through; the chasing clouds in the sky; the finding the sun's rays diving in and out of trees; God eclipsed all of it...

3. The routine of Church I had to break...

4. The air I breathed...

5. The prayers I sang...

6. And that maddening driver behind me not sure of whether he wants to ride my bumper stick a Driver's-Ed three car lengths back, or yell at his wife because clearly she was the navigator, he took a wrong turn, and they were lost.

I smiled and drove on.  His All-Lovingness didn't just eclipse Him that morning.  I was caught within that same orbit as well.  Even though I couldn't make it to church, the Reason I go to church was still with me.