I accidentally came across an email I had written someone 10 years ago, following a conference I attended. Most of my emails strike me as long winded and blathering and a bit self indulgent with too many words. This one was no different, except for these words:
It was mentioned that the name “El Shaddai” has a deeper understanding then what we normally understand. It means (paraphrase) “I am the God of utter ruin and devastation and I have come to do for you what you cannot do for yourself.”
These last ten years have proved to be quite alot of devastation and ruin for me. There are many others that have endured similarly. It seems to me that we need to encounter devastation before God can be to us who He truly wants to be. It seems strange that we need the devastation, but I think we do. Perhaps it is because of a nature that too often chooses self will and independent striving over a relationship with the One who desires to guide us through this life.
I proclaim you as my God. You are my God even in the midst of my devastation. I proclaim that You can do for me what I cannot do for myself. And I thank You that You have called me to this end, for I will see Your mercy and Your hand move on my behalf and will be forever changed..
Amen