It is so easy to slip into the pattern of just going about life, isn’t it? We go day to day focused on our never ending to-do list. There are kids or parents to take care of, bills to pay, people and work that needs your attention. Life is short. James 4:14 describes life as “a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” I don’t want to be an alarmist here, but what if you spend your whole life so focused on that “to-do” list and you miss it? What is “it” you ask? The awe! Don’t miss the awe! The things God has going on around us while we work on our to-do lists.

We throw around the word “awesome” all the time. If you remember the 80’s I’m sure you’re heard the term “totally awesome” 3 million times, sometimes followed by “dude”...NOT the awe I’m talking about. We say “this pizza is awesome”; you got new shoes Fran, “those are awesome”…stop it. That is not awesome.

I’m talking about the colors in the sunset, birth of a baby, the vastness of the ocean, talking to God and feeling Him answer you down deep in your soul. Praying and praying and then you watch God orchestrate something better than you could have even imagined in His perfect timing! God is awesome! The physical world He’s created is awesome. Have you seen some of the crazy looking creatures in the sea? They are much more awesome than Fran’s new shoes. Think about it, you woke up this morning and blood is pumping through the complex systems of veins, arteries, and organs in your body. Air is moving in and out of your lungs, and your body just works. You don’t have to do anything but live in it. You, my friend, are a walking, breathing miracle.

I look at God working through people in awe. Even in my own church I’ve seen the reconciliation of families and friendships, I see people so overwhelmed with the Spirit of God that they can’t stop the tears, and healings that doctors can’t explain. I’ve seen people sacrificing their own time and comfort to help others. I’ve stood behind a dear sister in church and heard her call out MY child’s name in prayer. She didn’t know I was there and I never told her my child needed prayer, but she knew…that’s love…and I stand in awe at what God’s doing in His people.

If you haven’t felt the awe in a while, step away from your desk or dirty dishes and read a psalm. Then close your eyes and absorb what you’re reading…try it, trust me, the work isn’t going anywhere, at least mine never does. Step outside and look up, seriously, just look up. The light, the sky, the trees… just let yourself be in awe for just a minute at what the Lord has given you and praise Him! Finally, pray. If you have to go into the bathroom and shut the door so nobody will bother you, do it! God, the all-powerful maker of the universe and sustainer of you, has given you a direct line to Him through prayer. Connect with Him. I promise it is well worth the time you will spend. I know the “to-do” list is so long, and we can’t walk around with our heads in the clouds, but just take a minute to notice what He’s doing.

Please don’t miss the awe.