i exalt thee

Have you ever had something overwhelm you with the nearness of God? For me it is a certain worship song that I have grown up loving titled "I Exalt Thee." I'm sure most of us who have grown up in church attach ourselves to a certain nostalgia with this song. But as of late this song has been one of the most successful vehicles for driving me into worship of God. The tipping point for my sudden attachment to this song was at my wedding. Danielle and I knew that we wanted to have a section of our wedding ceremony dedicated to worshiping God, and this song was one of two songs we had some friends of ours lead. I don't know if it was how suddenly I realized what was happening or it was the relief that that day was finally here, but when that song started to play, I was overwhelmed with thankfulness. The presence of God was so strong on my most significant day. The best way I can think to describe it is that the nearness of God was so palpable. I felt like I could reach out and touch it. Most memories fade into a faint distant recollection of experience, but when I reflect back on this day, it's like I'm back there at that alter standing in my suit next to my soon to be wife, looking up at red brick wall I was standing in front of, with warm tears uncontrollably streaming down my cheeks. All I could think to mutter was thank you Jesus. I must have said those three words 50 times during the two song worship set, but I'm telling you I meant those words.

Now whenever I hear that song, "I Exalt Thee" my mind takes me back to that hot late afternoon, and I am once again overwhelmed with thankfulness to God.