What does it mean to be in “awe” of God? It’s got to be more than an emotion we feel when singing “Our God is an Awesome God”!
In this episode of Now is the Time I share about a recent storm and how it taught me about the awe of God.
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A tree fallen by the storm we experienced
What is the awe of God?
Awe of God = When our theology meets our experience
Our theology informs us of who God is and our experience shows us what God is like. We need to cultivate a correct understanding of God by faithfully studying his Word. Then we must use that understanding in connection with real life.
How do we see God working in and around us?
What can we attribute to his greatness and holiness?
When we have a proper awe of God it changes everything!
- It changes the way we behave
- It changes the way we relate to others
- It changes the way we worship God
- It changes the way we do ministry
- It changes the way we do church
You need to be in awe of God because if you’re not impressed with God it makes it too easy to be impressed with yourself!
Resources:
I highly recommend reading Paul David Tripp’s book “Dangerous Calling” he writes a lot about how awe of God affects how we do ministry and how long we will last in ministry.
You can also check out Exodus 19 and Isaiah 6 and Job 40
Questions: How would you define the awe of God? What are some other ways we can develop the awe of God in our life?
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:36 — 21.6MB) | Embed
David Sparks
July 29, 2013We need to slow down, observe and absorb the moments in life God has given us. Whether that’s riding bicycles as a family, watching a sunset (or clouds), listening to the wind (rivers, ocean, birds, bugs), studying the Word, or even quiet reflection time (disconnected) – all of these have the ability to increase our awareness of God being active in our lives.
When He feels distant, it often impacts our lives in a negative way. Help foster that relationship by pursuing Him.
Caleb
July 29, 2013Well said David! I often tell people, “just because God feels distant doesn’t mean that he is!” The practice of becoming aware of his presence and his greatness is something that we need to do daily.
Hutch
July 30, 2013When I was a new believer, I was in awe of the people around me that were in AWE of God. I watched them and how they worship and I listened to how they prayed and how they spoke. This helped me develop my personal relationship with, and AWE of God.
Caleb
July 31, 2013Good point Hutch! One of the side benefits of being in awe of God is that others will notice it and we can help them become in awe of God through our example.
Loren Pinilis
August 21, 2013To me, I would say that the awe of God is when we get a deeper glimpse of how God really is. I hesitate to say that we see him fully as he is, but that he allows us to get a little closer to a full glimpse than “normal.”
Although I wonder if our theology would be included in the definition. I would say, for instance, that those who saw miracles – or perhaps those who will see the events of the end times – will have an awe of God without having correct theology. However, I do definitely see your point about theology being crucial to everyday life.