I had never seen such splendors. Who would had thought that visiting Nugget Point, one of the most southerly points in New Zealand, would fill us with such a sense of awe?

To the right of the point, an Octopus-looking rock protruded out of the ocean, it’s long algae tentacles swaying with the current. It was as if we were receiving a big algae-arm-welcome to our destination. The horizon was astoundingly blue, and we might have even had a hint of Antarctica in the far distance. At the end of the point, the lighthouse stood proudly, keeping watch over a scattering of rocky islets: Hence the name, “Nugget Point”!

Beneath us, to the south, the ocean seals played in the water, popping their heads up amongst the Nuggets. Some lay on the rocks, lazily taking a sunbath and enjoying the moment for what it was. In the near distance, a colony of gannets could be heard nesting on a rock, while some flew overhead. The coastline at both sides of this rocky protrusion was astounding, especially as the tides rose.

As we took it all in, we couldn’t help but praise the Creator Himself, and I pondered with King David, “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?” (Ps 8:3-4 NIV) With my heart rejoicing in the presence of His creation, I couldn’t help but say, “God, You are truly awesome!” And with this thought, I was transported into worship.

Worship is truly a heart healer. It’s really sad that so few of us experience this kind of awesomeness on a daily basis. Although we are desperately in need of filling our heart with gratitude towards our Maker, and although we hunger for His embrace, we tend to wander away, content with our dull existence.

To tell you the truth, so many of us are looking left and right for the love of our life, never realizing that it can only be realized in the One who is patiently waiting for us! The union we crave is not in a fellow human being. Sooner or later we will be disappointed as we will start noticing some of their annoying habits and mannerisms. The One we crave for is the One who longs for us the most: God Himself! And He will never disappoint us!

Worship, the act of adoring our Maker and Savior without restrictions, is not only a heart healer, it actually fills us with adrenaline and changes our dull existence into exciting ones! We have Someone who unconditionally believes in us, and that Someone is none other than the King of Kings Himself! Wow!

Simply showing up in church on Sundays can never come close to the real act of worship, nor is singing Christian songs. Honestly opening our hearts to the One who cares for us, pouring out our love to the One to whom no sacrifice for us was too great, we can expectantly look forward for His forthcoming tender embrace. He will not only commune with us, but He will fill us with a sense of awe. Only then will we realize that He is truly the One we are longing for. Nothing else can even bleakly compare to Him!

Out of our lips will flow a realization: “You are truly the One I desire!” Then chains will be broken, prisons be opened, real life enjoyed.

To admire such a perfect union from a distance, we can explore the book of Psalms, where we will find the heart of worship. Every song in this book has a different beginning. Some are joyful, others are mournful. But nearly everyone of them end up in worship. This is no accident!

If we only could learn to worship, despite our circumstances, life would be quite different! No bondage could keep us in misery, no discouragement could take hold of us, no discontentment could take root in our heart. If only…

He is the Only One who can give us rest and freedom! Meditate with me upon these snippets from the Psalms and ponder where your life is leading you. Are you content? Or are you desiring for something more?

Why not try the real Lover of your soul?

“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.” (Ps 62:1 NIV)

“I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Ps 4:8 NIV)

“I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.” (Ps 18:1-2 NIV)

“You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Ps 51:16-17 NIV)

“In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Ps 56:11 NIV)

“Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” (Ps 86:11 NIV)

“I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me.” (Ps 120:1 NIV)

Who is the One you truly love?

Rob Chaffart

(To access the entire “Fearless Victory!” devotional series, please click here.)