God is [insert a-word here]

Who is like You o'Lord among the gods, who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders? Exodus 15:11

A well known youth communicator stated that "...one of the tragedies of modern culture is that we have lost the true meaning of the word awesome! If ever there were a word for God... that would be it. But awesome has become the word for anything better than good... everything is awesome!"

I've been trying to commit to using that word only in reference to God. What an incredibly awesome idea (dang, already blew it). Think about it. How hard would it be for us to limit the use of the word awesome to references to God? Just go ahead and try it for a few days. I mean, there is no law against using the a-word with reference to a great steak you just ate, but the simple misuse of this word on things that are not really awesome has caused us to insult God by saying that He is awesome (proper usage) too. It's like saying to Him, "God, You are pretty incredible... kinda like that awesome (improper usage) burrito I just had at Rosa's."

Now, obviously we can't stop using words when we strive to give description to God and give praise and adoration to His name. And aren't all words used for less valuable things than God? Yes, but couldn't we reserve just one descriptive word for Him alone? Now, I don't know if I can break myself of the overuse of the a-word. But it does make me think... How great is our God? And maybe not just how great is our God... but how great is your God? How great is God to you?

Why? Because if we fail to live with the stamp of His infinite greatness on our lives, then our worlds will shrink down to that which is only standing beside or around us. In time, we, and what is important to us will become the center of our universe.

When I was in school I often stared into space and thought about things bigger than life itself. I'd sit at the picnic table outside in Colorado that Summer I worked there and look up into the night sky and wonder where I fit into all of this mess and how small I was in comparison to everything in the universe. Today it makes me realize how big and awesome (proper usage) God really is. I mean this earth is an awesome (oops) playground. But it is only a tiny dot in the master plan of the universe.

The thing is... is that our God, this God that we say we know, love, and walk with each day, made it all with just one word. Psalm 33:6 says, "By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, He breathed and all the stars were born." It's encouraging to know that this great universe that boggles the minds of the smartest of scientists and theorists was created with a simple breath from my God!

And yet we have such little faith in Him. We pray such small prayers... dream such little dreams... cast our tiny visions... worry over the most minute issues... love such trivial things. May we awaken to in God's mercy to our infinite God. And may we be astounded that He who sustains it all knows us and loves us personally! Psalm 33 goes on to say, "The Lord looks from heaven... on the inhabitants of the earth, He who fashions the hearts of them all, He who understands all their works." David says in Psalm 8:3, "When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your hands... what is man that You think of Him?" Read on after that and you will find that this great and awesome (proper) God values you and longs for a relationship with you. Not only that, but He offers to bring His infinite power and might to bear on your life.
Is your school too much for God? Is your family too big a problem for Him? Is your workplace too difficult a spot for God? Is the situation there too hopeless for God to awaken the people to who He is? Is the darkness so dark that His overpowering light could never shine? It depends... how big and awesome (proper) is your God?

jc