Awesome

Just after sunset one summer night several of us were working on a mural on the side of a building in our neighborhood. The mural featured Jesus carrying a baby, pulling a wagon full of kids with toys, and several children following after him.

While we were working, a local prostitute (obviously stung out on drugs) staggered briskly down the other side of the street. She hollered out at us, "That Jesus is F***ing AWESOME!" and continued on her way. At that point there was no sense in continuing to paint as we could do nothing but laugh hysterically and pack up for the night.

As Christians we're used to words such as "awesome," "wonderful," majestic," and the like to describe God. They roll off out tongue but don't always connect with the awe and wonder and mystery that we so easily miss in the chaos of daily living. We get distracted by traffic and television and personal crisis and debates about what color the new carpeting at the church should be, burying the sense of awe and wonder of who God is and what Jesus has done for us and how the Holy Spirit continues to move each day.

How can we live each day with the passion for Jesus expressed as freely and unashamedly as our local prostitute that night? Do we sometimes become so habitual with our faith that there's no room for wonder? If we realized that Jesus is even more than "effing awesome" and lived it out in our daily activities what would our lives be like? Our churches be like? Our world be like?

Jesus, fill us with awe for You. Help us to live in the wonder and mystery that You are and invite all to live in Your indescribable presence each moment.