From Peggy and Bill’s Perspectives – Niterói, Brazil
Peggy’s Perspective
It was early morning on the final day of our Global Awakening mission trip to Niteroi/Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Grateful for all that God had done during our time there, I longed for one last quiet moment before we departed. So, I slipped away to the rooftop where there was an infinity pool that overlooked the city of Rio de Janeiro.
I was alone.
Slowly, I stepped in and toward the edge of the pool, where the water seemed to blend in with the sky and spill off the rooftop into nothingness. Standing there, I looked out and marveled at the beauty of the city skyline in the distance.
Although the air was chilly, I wanted to make a physical act, a spiritual request: “Take me deeper, Lord.†So, as a symbol of that longing, I fully immersed myself in God’s presence, in His living waters.
In that moment, my heart could only respond in worship: “Awake, O my soul, with the music of His splendor; arise, my soul, and sing His praises!â€
As I awakened the dawn with my worship and greeted the daybreak with songs of love and devotion, I plunged myself into the cold water as a further symbolic act of going deeper in the Lord.
Under the water, I found a peaceful sanctuary free from noise or distractions. For me, it was an everlasting moment of connection with God.
Shivers ran up and down my spine as the cold water startled me back to the surface, gasping for air. If I wasn’t fully awake yet, I surely was now. The moment was etched in my mind.
Moments later, Bill came up to the rooftop—unaware of what had just taken place.
Bill’s Perspective
It was just before sunup that I retreated to the rooftop to have my morning devotions. In my quiet time, I received what I can only describe as a God Wink.
As I opened my Bible to a bookmarked page, I noticed that the marker was a flash card in Portuguese, translated into English, it read:
“Vá mais fundo, Senhor†— “Go deeper, Lord.â€
What made it even more remarkable, was that the card was a placeholder for Psalm 108, a passage that speaks of our passionate praises, awakening the dawn with our worship, and God’s extravagant love that reaches higher than the heavens.
“Your faithfulness is so astonishing it stretches to the skies!†(Psalm 108:4)
Imagine the joy Peggy and I felt when we returned to our room and shared what God was revealing to us, both individually and together.
It was no coincidence. God was confirming His message to both of us, calling us to go deeper, go higher.
The rooftop experience symbolized God’s high calling, and the pool represented the depths He calls us into.
Va mais fundo e mais alto Senhor!
Go deeper and higher Lord!
Copyright 2019 by Bill and Peggy Hutzel
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