God, Me, and Patience - Part 2

As I thought about the idea of patience, I began digging into the concept of God's patience. What I noticed pretty quickly is that, when it comes to God, we are quick to focus on His grace, mercy, love, strength, but not really His patience. Why is that? Is God's patience even on the same playing field as His grace and mercy? Is God even patient?

Here is what I ultimately concluded. I believe God IS patient. He is ridiculously patient. But God's patience is not noticeable until we understand His grace and mercy. When we begin to grasp what we, as His creation, deserve for our behavior and sin, God's grace and mercy enter into a new perspective. In fact, God's patience is ultimately seen in His grace and mercy with us.

I know that if I created you and a world for you to exist and then watched my creation constantly deny me and ignore my love and provision for their own selfish ambition, the results would be pretty predictable. I would just head back to the drawing board and start over. "I brought you into my world, and I'll take you out," would be my mantra.

But instead of showing wrath, God chose to display grace and mercy. Mercy by not giving us what we deserve (eternal death and separation from Him). And grace by giving us a free gift that we in no way deserve (forgiveness through His Son, Jesus Christ, for all who believe). And God's grace and mercy is ultimately founded in His unbelievable patience. Jesus Christ is the results of God's patience. God's power is not best seen in His creation, but with His creation.

"God, thank you for your patience with me and your deep desire to be personally connected to me. Thank you for your mighty display of patience found in the innocent death and resurrection of your one and only Son, Jesus Christ. Thank you for displaying how truly powerful you are through your enduring patience with me. I love you, Heavenly Father."

Gavin Adams
Lead Pastor, Watermarke Church

It Is Well With My Soul

So at the North Point DRIVE09 Conference this year, Todd Fields led worship for a set or two or three (I lost count, but it doesn't matter), and one song just immediately jumped out to me. I remember leaning down to one of my staff members saying, "This is a song that will be in our regular rotation soon..."

What I loved about this song is that it reminded me of where I am at right now, and it took me back in time to the church days of my youth. I remember holding a hymnal (some of you have never seen these books, I know), and there was always that guy behind me that would sing the chorus echo.
High - It is well,
Low echo - It is well,
High - With my soul,
Low echo With my soul...
I think at one point we may have sang it in the round. Nevertheless, when the crazy echo guy was at the lake instead of sitting behind me on a Sunday morning, I realized how unbelievably beautiful these lyrics really are.

And as Todd led us at DRIVE09 and as we sang it with all our hearts, I was overcome with the message behind these awesome lyrics:

Here is the chorus we sang:
It is well, It is well, Through the storm, I am held, It is well, It is well with my soul
It is well, It is well, God has won, Christ prevailed, It is well, It is well with my soul.

It's too fast and rock'n for any echo dudes, but man - this song freaking rocks. We are singing this for the first time at Watermarke on Sunday, and I am going to be backstage during this song preparing to come out for a welcome and announcement time, but I bet it will be tough, because there will be tears in my eyes as I reflect on what these lyrics mean to me. What they mean to all those I know. What they mean to everyone standing and worshipping along with us on Sunday. I'll be worshipping backstage through the blaring amps and insanely loud drum kit.

It is well with my soul, because I am held by my God and His Son has prevailed. Powerful message.

Gavin Adams
Lead Pastor, Watermarke Church