Awesome!
Philippians 2:12-18
12. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13. for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 14. Do all things without grumbling or questioning, 15. that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16. holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17. Even if I am to be poured as a libation upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
Fear and trembling bring to mind two different possibilities for me. First, the fear and trembling when I think of God’s mighty power. Second, the fear and trembling when I see what God is doing in me and with me. I guess the one word that describes both would be awe. There aren’t that many things that leave us awestruck any more, are there? I imagine the Grand Canyon would be one -- I’ve never been, but hope to one day. When my family lived in Montana, right at the start of the Continental Divide, I spent a great deal of time in awe of the mountains, the sky, the landscape--it was beautiful and certainly awe-inspiring. But I don’t remember too many of those “stop dead in your tracks, unable to fully absorb/comprehend, give me a minute to wrap my brain around this” experiences.
Moses had one when he came upon that burning bush. When Shadrach, Meschack and Abednego were thrown into the fire and didn’t burn up -- that was a “fear and trembling” moment for the authorities who ordered them burned alive! When someone tells me they were touched or comforted by something I said or did -- I am awed by the power of God working in me to touch another’s life. I am intentional -- when I’m line with God’s design for my life -- in encouraging others. Encouragement is one of my spiritual gifts, and it comes very natural to me. My co-workers have labeled me “the mom.”
After typing the phrase “when I’m in line with God’s design for my life” I realize the very fact that God would even bother to have a design for my life -- and for yours -- is awe-inspiring. He cares about us, so very much, each and every one of us, that he does go to the trouble of designing a custom-made life for us. Full of awe and wonder, fear and trembling, hope and joy. We are to be the shining lights of hope and love to a world that lives without a single awe-inspiring vision or moment.
We now live in a world where a whole generation has never known life without a microwave oven, a cell phone, e-mail, ipods, cable television. Man walking on the moon? Ancient history. How is Jesus relevant to a world without awe? How do we make the cross relevant today? How do we live a life worthy of the gift of grace God gave to us when his son died on the cross? How do we live blameless and innocent lives in a world that is crooked and perverse?
Don’t get me wrong! I’m not bemoaning “the world.” I’m not saying that nothing excites me or inspires me! I’m in front of a computer right now and getting ready to post this blog via the internet! That’s all an amazing concept to me! But I know that this awesome, powerful vehicle can also be used for evil, for harm.
God sent his son to earth to become one of us. He lived a life in line with the plan laid out for him -- in submission and obedience. He became our sin -- not just yours and mine -- all sin that ever was or ever will be. And it was nailed to the cross with him that day 2000 years ago. And on that first Easter morning, he rose from sin and death into a new life.
Now that still inspires awe in me. To be so small and weak and full of sin. To be loved so much by a God who doesn’t
need me to do anything, but makes a special plan, just for me, because he
wants me. That’s awe-inspiring.
I hope today you are awe-struck that God has made a special plan for your life -- uniquely designed just for you. And that you shine as a light for the world that is in desperate need of awe!
Mary
