Awe

Awe [noun]

1: an emotion variously combining dread, veneration, and wonder that is inspired by authority or by the sacred or sublime

2: archaic

a: DREAD, TERROR

b: the power to inspire dread

Would awe describe sung worship within our churches? Not about the music, the execution, the band, or creativity, but in the way that the people of God see and respond to God as we gather?

In Jesus, we are invited to ‘…with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.’ Hebrews 4:16, but sometimes I wonder if this confidence can quickly shift to being casual, flippant, and irreverent.

Many low-church traditions do an excellent job of articulating and celebrating the immanence of God - the reality that God is knowable and near. Many high-church traditions do an excellent job of articulating and celebrating the transcendence of God - the reality that God is above and completely other than His creation. Either of these realities can - and should - inspire our worship and devotion, but so few traditions (much less Christians) equally grasp these truths.

One of the themes that has emerged from my recent reading has been how living post-Enlightenment means that our world - and therefore our minds and daily lives - are emptied of wonder. What use is wonder when we have knowledge, understanding, and explanation for so many things? Agreeing to the spiritual - and therefore mysterious - reality of our world can often be seen as an intellectual cop-out. A failure to work toward a knowable resolution. But perhaps wonder and knowledge do not need to be on opposing sides, but can in fact hold hands in the way we approach God as the people of God.

Our people inhabit a wonder-less world, are we leading them toward the transcendent reality of God as we gather?

September 29: Tuesday Refocus

"But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth; They shall be given over to the power of the sword; They shall be a portion for jackals. But the king shall rejoice in God; All who swear by Him shall exult, For the mouths of liars will be stopped." Psalm 63:9-11

The ruler of this age is the enemy of our souls (Jn 12:31, Rev 12:10). The flesh and blood struggle is a sign that the true battle is against rules, authorities, cosmic powers over this present darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Eph 6:12). Our enemy roams the earth seeking to devour (1 Pet 5:8). But his fate is sure (Col 2:15).

Our lives are not something we need to defend, but instead to surrender. To die daily is the way to true life – life to the full (Matt 10:39, Jn 10:10). We need not fear those who destroy the body but live in reverent fear of the One who will transform our lowly bodies to be like His heavenly body (Matt 10:28, Phil 3:21).

Rescue is sure for all of God’s people. And like King David in Psalm 63, our rescue will resound with a song of praise:

‘Worthy are You to take the scroll and to open its seals, for You were slain, and by Your blood, You ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and You have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth (Rev 5:9-10).’ Amen.

Resting,

AB

November 5: Tuesday Refocus

‘No one ever comes very close to God and remains proud.’ – Alan Nelson

‘Draw near,’ is the invitation James tells us is always met with God, in turn, drawing near (4:8).  As followers of Christ we can draw near with confidence (Heb 4:16).  But make no mistake this confidence is not in our own righteousness, but in the righteousness of Christ (2 Cor 5:21).

As we draw near we find grace and mercy, yet still fall down as though dead (Heb 4:16, Rev 1:17).  Because no one ever draws near to God and remains proud.  But do not be afraid – His nearness is your good (Ps 73:28). 

‘When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead.  But He laid His right hand on me, saying, ‘Fear not, I am the First and the Last, and the Living One.  I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.’ – Revelation 1:17

Lord, You know the proud from afar, but regard the lowly.  Help us draw near with full confidence in the completed work of Christ.  Thank you for being Emmanuel, the God who is with us.  We are humbled and grateful, in Christ name, amen.

Draw near,

AB

October 8: Tuesday Refocus

‘I have trusted Thee and Thou hast not betrayed my trust; waited for Thee, and not waited in vain.’ – The Valley of Vision

I have trusted myself and been disappointed.

I have trusted others and been crushed.

I have trusted the Lord and never been forsaken.

‘And those who know Your name put their trust in You, for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.’  Ps 9:10

I have waited for perfect timing and been inactive.

I have waited for everything to fall in place and been passed by.

I have waited on the Lord and grown strong and courageous.

‘Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!’ Ps 27:14

Lord, we trust and wait.  Not passive, not flippant, intentionally we pursue You as the One who has proven Himself trustworthy.  The One who is with us in our waiting.  We await eagerly for You, Your name and Your renown are the desires of our heart.  In Christ’s name, amen.

Trusting + waiting,

AB