When the Waves Obey: Finding the Awesome in the Unseen Power of God

There are moments in the field, or even right here in the quiet moments of study, when the sheer magnitude of the Atonement hits you. You feel the weight of the world, the complexity of the questions, the sheer *power* required to bridge the gap between man and the Savior. It can feel overwhelming—like trying to capture the immensity of the Restoration in a single missionary discussion.

It reminds me of a time I was serving in a particularly challenging area. We were talking to an investigator who was wrestling with feelings of cosmic chaos—the world seemed so unpredictable, so loud, and he was struggling to see the hand of the Lord in it all. I remember feeling myself get lost in the theological weeds, trying to quote scripture after scripture. I was forgetting the core message: God is *awesome*.

That’s when I thought about this song, and how it captures that feeling. It’s not just about the visible glory—the stars, the fire—it’s about the invisible forces, like the wind and the waves, that ultimately bow to His power.

The Awesome God: Power and Love Combined

When we think of the power of God, we often picture thunder, or miracles, or the sheer majesty of the temple. And those things are glorious! But the song reminds us that His power is inseparable from His love. He is "with power *and* love."

This is such a crucial concept for us as we strive to be true disciples and effective internet missionaries. We can’t just preach doctrine (the power) without sharing the testimony of the Savior’s perfect love. We can’t just feel the Spirit (the love) without pointing to the divine power that made it possible.

As we continue to refine our skills in missionary preparation, I’ve been thinking a lot about how we can help our brothers and sisters see that same balance—that the Lord’s power is always tempered by His infinite compassion. It’s what allows us to keep going, even when the 'waves' of discouragement hit.

A Bite-Sized Skill: Listening for the 'Why'

If you’re heading into any missionary discussions this week, or even having a deep study in a Book Club, I want to give you a small focus point. When someone raises a challenging question, don't just answer the *what*. Try to listen for the *why*. What underlying fear, what unmet need, is driving their question? If they ask, "How can He forgive everything?" the underlying need might be, "Am I truly worthy?" By addressing the underlying need, you move beyond just doctrinal recitation and into true discipleship.

We are called to be disciples *anywhere*, and that means being prepared not just for the perfect answer, but for the messy, human question.

Keep the Momentum Going

If this message resonated with you, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on where you see the "awesome" in your own life right now—is it in a relationship, a scripture study, or a quiet moment of personal revelation? Don't let that feeling fade!

For those who are ready to sharpen that skill, I invite you to join our next free weekly Disciple Challenge. We’ll be diving into how to articulate the balance of power and love using the Book of Mormon. It’s a great place to practice before your next transfer or assignment.

If you’re looking for deeper study material to take with you, I highly recommend revisiting the teachings on the nature of the Atonement. There are some excellent insights waiting for you in the Iron Rod library—check out the related readings in LivingBook!

Remember, we are all disciples, and every single one of us has the potential to be an internet missionary, a disciple anywhere, all the time.