Crossing Over From Amazement to Awe

“Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord:  whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.”  1 Peter 3: 6

Sarah had the laughter of incredulity (i.e. doubt) when she overheard the messenger’s pronouncement of her future son.  She had settled down into what seemed real around her, and lost vision of the God of wonder.  Her amazement spoke that she had become accustomed to what was merely at her own hand and surrendered her expectancy of hoping from His Hand.

There is a difference between amazement and awe.  Crossing over requires of us to be careful not to cling to our own familiar patterns of life.  Often amazement (i.e. fear) comes  when we have become comfortable and grown accustomed to a sense of control of our situation.   Lulled into a lapse of expectancy, change suddenly startles us and our true condition is revealed.  Are we amazed or in awe?  Living a life of awe is borne out of a constant gaze upon Christ, while growing in Change.

Sarah was granted this opportunity to live out before us what it means to cross over from amazement to awe.  Living this life of promise will birth in us new life (His son), and a joy much deeper than the skeptical laughter of old familiar half-hearted hopes.  It will show forth not in the laughter of incredulity, but in  expectation and flexibility, genuinely trusting an unchangeable God.

“Strive to see God in all things without exception, and acquiesce in His will with absolute submission.  Do everything for God, uniting yourself to Him by a mere upward glance, or by the overflowing of your heart towards Him.  Never be in a hurry; do every thing quietly and in a calm spirit.  Do not lose your inward peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.  Commend all to God, and then lie still and be at rest in His bosom.  Whatever happens, abide steadfast in a determination to cling simply to God, trusting to His eternal love for you; and if you find that you have wandered forth from this shelter, recall your heart quietly and simply.  Maintain a holy simplicity of mind, and do not smother yourself with a host of cares, wishes, or longings, under any pretext.”  ~Francis De Sales