Wow, That's Awesome!

Many have said or heard someone else say these phrases, “That’s awesome!” or, “Man that is really awesome!”

The way we use words is interesting, to say the least. In each generation, there has always been a lingo that has been used to express the feelings of a particular group. Words like HIP, COOL, FAR OUT, OUT OF SIGHT, RAD, GROOVY, BAD, and others like them have all been used at one time or another. And today things are changing so fast that it’s hard to keep up with the current usage.

There are probably many reasons why a group adopts a certain set of words for its own use, but one reason is that they want to express a common understanding or feeling quickly. These words serve as code words, a kind of short cut of expression. And people who are part of the “in” group that uses these expressions know exactly what they mean.

The word “awesome” has been used to express a certain feeling about something. To say something is awesome not only means that it is something that by its greatness inspires high appreciation but also reflects how we feel about it. And most of these words used that way are valuable because they communicate more than facts. They communicate feelings, specifically how we feel. And how we feel about things is important to us, sometimes even more important than what we think intellectually.

Feelings are important to us, more important than we like to think. Feelings can literally cripple us physically if they are strong enough. And the reason is that feelings affect our minds. If strong enough, feelings can overwhelm a person. As Albert Einstein once said, “He who can no longer pause to wonder is as good as dead.”

On the other hand, feelings can impact us positively as well. Feelings of confidence have been shown to be the difference in success and failure in athletics. One person who is confident will succeed where another person of equal, and sometimes greater, ability will fail because he lacked the confidence.

Our attitudes affect our relationship with God. Our attitudes do not change how God feels about us, but they do change how we feel about God. And how we feel about God will either enhance or impede our ability to trust Him and serve Him.

Being filled with awe means that we have transcended our earthly view and have caught a glimpse of the eternal glory of the living God. It means that we have caught a vision of His greatness, holiness, power, and love. Like Isaiah in the temple, when we see the Lord high and lifted up, we fall at His feet in humble repentance and surrender.

This is the kind of atmosphere where God begins to work in power. This is the kind of attitude we need in our lives today. This is the kind of attitude we need in our churches today.

In Luke 9 there is the story of how Jesus healed a boy that had an evil spirit. In verse 43, of those that had witnessed the change in the boy Luke writes, “And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God.” So often we get all bogged down when it comes to the healing ministry of Jesus and miss it's purpose. It wasn't about the healing factor. It was about the wow factor. It's central purpose was to evoke awe and amazement.

How amazed are you? Maybe at times we need to remind ourselves and renew our sense of amazement and wonder regarding our awesome Abba Father. The question for many is where do we begin to find this sense of awe. Many would point to starring at the night stars as a place in time to experience awe. Some would point to creation overall as the starting place of awe. Some would claim that finding awe is need and also can be found in authentic worship. While all this may be true, for me awe and amazement floods in when I stop to consider that is extremely fond of me. I have an Abba Father that really and truly loves me just the way I am. Wow that's awesome!