Edina Hall

Dear Friends in Christ,

I’ve been thinking about “awe” lately. It's a strange word when it rolls around in one's head.

“Awe” is not an old word by world lexicon standards. Stemming from the 13th century Old Norse word "agi" it translates to “fright” or “terror” (oed.com). Dictionary.com has a more modern definition of awe as “an overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration, fear, etc., produced by that which is grand, sublime, extremely powerful, or the like.” Clearly awe is hard to define when one puts “etc.” and “or the like” in the definition!

I think at its core, awe is something almost indescribable that reaches beyond what is normally felt. It’s like the infomercials that proclaim “But wait!! There’s more!!”

While the bible is filled with examples of what awe for God looks like, today’s reading is from Job.* Despite the trials laid upon him, Job just can’t stop marveling at God’s awesomeness.

Each line weaves a tapestry of awe—seemingly saying “But, wait! There’s more!!”

But what do I do with awe?

A few weeks ago, Fr Robert gave a sermon that could have been entitled: “Pause. Look for Gratitude.” The message for me was that before reacting, I ought to take a moment to acknowledge gratitude. By doing so, it can change my lens from first seeing what’s wrong (anger), to seeing what is right (love).

What if while looking for gratitude I added recognizing awe? What would it be like if I added reverence, admiration and fear of God to my thankfulness and appreciation?

Who would I become if I embraced and harnessed that awe—God's indescribable power, love and transformative presence?

What would happen if I listened to the “But, wait! There’s more!”?

Would it be so awe-full?

—Edina

*4 He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength 
—who has hardened himself against him, and succeeded?— 
5 he who removes mountains, and they know it not, 
    when he overturns them in his anger; 
6 who shakes the earth out of its place, 
    and its pillars tremble; 
7 who commands the sun, and it does not rise; 
    who seals up the stars; 
8 who alone stretched out the heavens, 
    and trampled the waves of the sea;[a] 
9 who made the Bear and Orion, 
    the Plei′ades and the chambers of the south; 
10 who does great things beyond understanding, 
    and marvelous things without number.
—Job 9:4-10