When was the last time you felt the emotion of awe? That is the awe emotion that sweeps you into the moment, into an expansion of view that makes you feel small but in a good way. Awe evokes emotions such as gratitude, happiness, and contentment. Awe humbles us, makes us see we are all connected to something bigger by expanding our focus beyond ourselves. Awe can also heal us.
Ann Voskamp writes
“Wherever the ache of life meets more of the awe of God, we are more healed. More than any other emotion, what heals us is the awe of God.
That’s what the research undeniably indicates: God’s glory undeniably HEALS us.“
Ann Voskamp – How to Heal & Find A Way Through Loss (A Journey: Part 1)
How to Come Into God’s Presence
God’s word tells us the “whole earth is full of his glory.” (Isaiah 6:3) But what is God’s glory? There are many definitions. What I understand is that God’s glory is also found in His holiness. Holiness is morally perfect, pure and set apart from sin. When we have a narrow view that is focused on our individual frustrations, failings, and world pressures we are no longer seeing God’s glory. We’ve set our minds on ourselves rather than the glory of God that is perfect, healing, and awe-striking! So how can we set our minds to see the whole earth as full of his glory?
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“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” Isaiah 6:3
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Finding Awe in The Ordinary
For those of you who have followed me for awhile, you know how much I love to be in the mountains by all my Breathing Spaces photography! The Rocky Mountains are 450 KM away from me though! So I do not get there often (enough). I must admit that when I think of my awe moments, they are in the Rockies, convicting me that I am too self-focused when in the comfort of my home. At home I am transfixed on my problems–from finding a company to replace my roof shingles to ruminating about my current non-job situation. Yet God’s glory is everywhere! To find awe in the ordinary we can:
- Go out in nature even if it is just a walk in the ordinary. Be present, intentionally looking for something new. Is that a new flower in the neighbours garden? What hue of blue is the sky? Is that bread baking I smell? Even though you may have walked the same route a 1000 times, stay curious and set your mind that you are on a new adventure every step.
- Listen to music. Shut down your electronics and put a piece of music on and let it move you. Classical music has been shown to decrease stress and thus boost the happy hormone.
- Be curious. Intentionally set your mind on being curious. Ask questions about those earrings that you admire on your friend, or how the coffee beans are roasted in a new coffee shop you are (curiously) trying out. Stories too, can evoke the awe emotion as well as connect us with others.
- Read awesome bible versus about God’s presence with curiosity as if reading for the very first time. God’s word is not like a repeating audio book-He is continually talking to us all the time, drawing us into His glory.
Where did you see AWEsome today?
Looking for a tool to help you be intentional about living well? You can download my journal Breathing Spaces at no cost to you! After taking the journey, I’d love to hear your thoughts! I’m in the process of creating a second edition and any feedback is appreciated!
Your photographs are always truly awesome, Lynn … I am calmed and soothed as I sit with them. Thank you for capturing God’s handiwork with your lens and sharing it with us.
Blessed.
I will capture God’s handiwork with my camera anytime for you, Linda!
Such a beautiful post, Lynn. I love to be awed by God’s creations. Thank you for sharing this today. xo
Awed by God’s creations is good day, I’d say. Always nice to see you here ,Jill, and read your newsletters in my email box too!
I felt the emotion of awe many times today. I now live right out of Park City, Utah and it is gorgeous. I hope I never take it for granted. As I sat in church this morning I glanced out the window to the majestic ski mountains. I have to admit before living here I missed so many moments of awe.
I do need to work on finding awe in the ordinary. I’m so glad you made a list. I plan to work on being curious.
Thank you for sharing with Grace & Truth Link-Up.
Maree
Thank you Lynn for a beautiful post. I also love the Rockies, but we live in the Appalachian Foothills and have a beautiful view of the mountain. Finding awe is not hard if we are intentional and open our eyes to the glory of God!
To have more than a suggestion but concrete advice on how to see more awe is just what we each need. Thk you!
Awe is such a God-inspired feeling! I love your suggestions to seek for awe even in the ordinary places. We can find it most anywhere if we’re looking. May my eyes be more wide open today.