Gorillas and Indescribable God

     Yesterday afternoon I went walking with a very dear friend who has just returned from Africa. She went there with a group of folks to learn about a remarkable program called Zoey (I'm sure I'm misspelling that--which would par for the course for me!) that is helping orphans with micro-lending so that they can continue to live with their siblings but provide an income and a future for their families.  It truly was amazing and uplifting to hear about it.  The pictures of those beautiful children who had lost so much--their parents, their homes, their security--due to HIV or brutal ethnic cleansing was both heartbreaking and yet inspiring--to see those smiling, determined, joyful faces both humbled and heartened me.
     But near the end of our visit yesterday, my friend showed me pictures of silver backed gorillas they had seen at the end of their trip.  Her group hiked over 2 hours up into the hills, led by guides with machetes (for the thick underbrush, I presume), and eventually came out into a small clearing... and there were the gorillas!  How I wish I could post a picture of these remarkable creatures!  My sweet friend said that as soon as she saw the first gorilla she burst into tears.  They were just so beautiful, so amazing.  Such examples of the wondrous creativity of our Almighty God.
     To see such something so stunning in God's creation, well, it does humble you and move you deeply and powerfully.  I feel a taste of that when our old dog, Moses, and I amble along in the early morning and spot the blue heron gracefully fishing in the creek or glimpse a deer bound into the underbrush or gasp at the splashy pinks or oranges of the sunrise.  Just walk out the door and be awed by our God.
     As I thought about it, I was reminded of the wonderful song that Laura Story sings, "Indescribable."  Let the words wash over you:

 From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation's revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings, all exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable
You placed the stars in the sky
And You know them by name
You are amazing God

All powerful, untameable
Awestruck we fall to our knees
And we humbly proclaim
That You are amazing God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night, none can fathom
[ Lyrics from: ]
Indescribable, uncontainable
You placed the stars in the sky
And You know them by name
You are amazing God

All powerful, untameable
Awestruck we fall to our knees
And we humbly proclaim
That You are amazing God

You are indescribable, uncontainable
You placed the stars in the sky
And You know them by name
You are amazing God

Incomparable, unchangeable
You see the depths of my heart
And You love me the same
You are amazing God, You are amazing God
You are amazing God

     If you get a chance, go listen to her song and be bathed in the majesty of our Awesome Creator who crafted every star, who fashioned every creature that walks or flies or crawls, who formed every flower, who scooped out every ocean, who shaped every tree, who traced every stream, who breathed His own life into every man, woman, and child. 

     And He knows not only every star and planet, but He knows every single one of us.  By name.  He knows what brings each of us delight and what makes our skin crawl!  He knows our quirks and our questions. He knows our dreams and our fears.  He knows our habits and our hearts.  

     And even as He fully knows "the depths" of our hearts--our selfishness, our secrets sins, our failures and faults, our hidden thoughts--He loves us fully, completely, extravagantly.  If you doubt it, look to the cross. At Calvary we see the full extent of of His love... and it is uncontainable and incredible and indescribable. Such is our God and there is none other.  

     "You are amazing God.  You are amazing God."  

     And He is.  Forever and ever and ever.  To our Almighty, Awesome God and Creator and Redeemer, be all the glory.