AWESTRUCK

I love children. They have such simple joy in what they see around them. I recently took two of my granddaughters fishing. We were fortunate that the lake was teeming with small fish. Moments after their bait hit the water, each was struggling to land a catch. As their "Papa," I was most delighted not by the fish but by their expressions of joy. For my granddaughters, fishing was awesome.

Most of us have seen the glory of a magnificent sunset or heard the sound of sweet music and have found ourselves in awe of something greater and grander than ourselves. Personally I have experienced such awe while standing on the edge of a mountain looking into a fog-shrouded valley. I have also experienced it as I held in my arms a just-born grandchild.

At those times I wanted nothing more than to shout, "My God, how great thou art!" Yet in the busyness of ordinary life I often lose such joy and fail to be awestruck by my Father's world and work.

The early church is described as a people "filled with awe" (Acts 2:43). I wonder how often you and I are filled with awe at God and his grace. If we really think about what God has done and is doing in our lives and in his world, we cannot react with coldness and indifference. We must proclaim the greatness of our God.

Prayer

Father, Creator, Lord of all, we worship you for the heavens that declare your glory. Fill us with a renewed sense of awe at who you are and what you have done.

Jerry Dykstra