Open wide and say "Awe!"

Today's readings: Psalms 104; 150; Isaiah 40:1-11; Hebrews 1:1-12; John 1:1-7, 19-20, 29-34

A sense of awe is a natural reaction to the miracle of creation. Non-theists, especially those involved in the sciences, frequently cite a sense of wonder as central to their own spirituality. People of faith, like the author of Psalm 104, go further and attribute the beauty and complexity of the universe to the divine intelligence behind it all. People who find time spent in nature helps them feel closer to God are closely attuned to this sense of wonder. If we spend a lot of time studying scripture and trying to wrap our brains around God, we may find it more difficult - or frivolous - to appreciate unexamined awe. Yet this is a legtimate way of apprehending God. As we deepen in our relationship with God - as we hope to continue doing our whole lives - let's take an occasional break from the "head" space we spend most of our time in to dwell in the "heart" space where that sense of awe can reach us best.

Busy people may need to intentionally slow down to notice everyday wonders. The sky is always above, but do we ever think of it as being stretched out as the tent of God's dwelling place, or of the winds as God's messengers (Ps 104:2, 4)? These poetic images do not need to be literal to reveal truth to us. The psalmist finds wonder in springs gushing forth to give drink to every wild animal, in food brought forth from the earth, in trees and mountains, darkness and light, predator and prey. If we ever have trouble feeling our connection to a sense of wonder, Psalm 104 is an amazing resource for reestablishing it.

Let's commit to being aware of the sources of awe in our own lives. The diverse beauty of a garden or a wild meadow. The complexity of our own  bodies, even when they can no longer serve us well. The grace of a flock of hundreds of birds swooping in unison. The power of a storm that extends farther than we can comprehend. Awe can be inspiring and terrifying at the same time. What it can not be is analyzed, for then it ceases to be awe. Let us simply dwell in the presence of the Lord and for a while let awe crowd out everything else. It blesses a soul.

Evening reading: Psalm 29