Not too long ago my husband and I drove through Bay Harbor, an enclave of upscale condominiums, cottages, and multi-million dollar homes in northern Michigan. Located in a picturesque region surrounding Little Traverse Bay off of Lake Michigan, its secluded harbor is filled with yachts and sailboats. As we visited this community with its immaculate gardens, well-appointed homes, and extravagant amenities, we remembered how years ago it was a limestone quarry with an industrial structure that defaced the beauty of the waterfront. But as a result of someone’s vision and a large investment, men transformed this eyesore into a place where you just say, “Wow!”
As the afternoon turned into evening, we drove to a high point where we could overlook the whole complex. Suddenly our eyes no longer focused on the beautiful yards, the million dollar homes, or the yachts in the harbor.
Facing west, our eyes went beyond what man had made as we watched the sun setting in the northern sky. Its setting painted the sky in hues of red, pink, and orange filtered through wisps of clouds. Its waning rays reflected shimmers of light across the bay. Then we turned to the east, and rising above the horizon was the brilliant cream-colored harvest moon.
We didn’t say, “Wow!’
We were silent.
We stood in awe.
Our “wows” at what man had made were erased with an awe of the natural wonders created by our great God. We were in awe of what God had made.
In the book of Jeremiah, we read where God is grieved by the attitude of the Israelites. His heart is broken because . . .
they have “no awe of me.” (Jer. 2:19 NIV)
Because they no longer were in awe of God, they worshipped what man made – idols of wood and stone. They chose to live their lives as they pleased instead living lives that pleased the Lord.
They had lost their awe of God.
And it can happens to us. We can lose our awe. We can be captivated by the things of this world. We can be captivated by its pleasures.
We can take for granted . . .
His grace,
His mercy,
His compassion,
His patient love,
and we can lose our “awe” of God.
So every now and then watch a sunset. Search the night sky for the brilliant moon shining amid the stars, and stand in awe of your God.
A true revelation. We forget how Awesome God is.
Yes, and one day “in awe” every knee will bow and tongue confess that He is Lord.
I am always amazed at how many people pay no attention to a rainbow, a meteor shower, or just the stars in the sky. After reading your blog, I believe God allows us to view those things to help keep us grounded and awe inspired.
God has blessed me to see many beautiful things in His creation. I have been in that state of awe many times and I think to myself this is nothing compared to what He has prepared for us in Heaven. But I am grateful that He gives us the sun, the moon, the stars and the grandeur to gaze upon.
We are both very excited to embark on this journey with you, Joy.
A journey begins with a single step. I am right here to walk with you Joy. I enjoy the simple things that God has made, maybe because of my science background. I live in a fishbowl surrounded by large door wall windows on either side of my house that bring nature right up front and personal. God’s handiwork.
Beautiful Joy!!…thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the beautiful thoughts and reminder to appreciate what God has created and the fact that He created all that beauty for us to enjoy.
Beautiful story, a reminder to take nothing for granted, especially the love of our dear Heavenly Father. His goodness is truly awesome.
Yes I too have been in “awe” when I see the cloud formations or a rainbow or the sun setting or rising and look at the landscapes… God is definitely blessing each and every day and reminding us how HE is the creator of all. Thanks Joy for sharing this insight… looking forward to many more.
God truly is awesome and I never want to forget! Oh Lord help.
Thank you Joy for sharing your gift with all of us.
Thank you, Joy, for sharing this revelation of God’s Word with us. I’m reading the book of Nehemiah. Everyone seems to always concentrate on the construction and repair of the wall, but I am in “awe” when I read of how the Israelites, in part because of their long captivity in Babylon, did not know God’s laws. But, when Ezra read the law to them, they listened “attentively” from early morning to noon. The “awe” of the Word of truth witnessed with their hearts and “they worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground!” To see such worship in our churches would be “awesome.” Thank you for bringing a timely revelation to us, Joy!
I have read your blog and really like the content, keep up the posts as I will be back.
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