So Rich…
Aweful – so, being rich is being awe-full. Long before our current use of the word awful, there was the common use of the word aweful. Being full of awe, of an awesome God…
Recently a young woman sat two chairs over from me at church – cute sleeveless red dress and frilly pumps. Sitting down she crossed her arms and stared straight ahead. I wasn’t sure what to think. When we rose to sing, she rose, arms folded, no singing.
Funny how His creation knows they need Him, so they do what they think He wants them to. Show up at church, pray a quick prayer, send money to a needy cause. Missing is the awe, the realization of who God really is.
The sermon moved on, her hands fell in her lap…
Surrender is what precedes awe. The realization that there is nothing we can do, it’s been done. “But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” (Colossians 1:22 NIV) Past tense, for those who believe. Reconciled, holy in His sight, without blemish, free from accusation. That makes me aweful…
When the final song came she stood and before I glanced over I could hear her. Singing loudly, surrendering. She bent over the chair in front of her, taking deep breaths, then stood tall again and raised her face – truly seeing the One she had come seeking. She was full of awe.
“But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:4 NIV) Twice in the span of a few sentences, it is said again… “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8 NIV)
Not something we have to do, a gift – faith, freely given from the one who is rich in mercy, and longs for us with an everlasting love. Sweet surrender, to be so rich…
parisrenae 
I love the story you tell here, the tie between surrender and adoration. I read a verse that touched on this just this AM – Jer 2:19 Consider then and realize how evil and bitter it is for you .when you…. have no awe of me,” declares the Lord”. Awe-some points.
LikeLike
Sandra, thank you for stopping by. Great verse to tie in with this post. Praying you have an awe-filled weekend, blessings, Paris
LikeLike