Awe Shucks

I hear the word "AWE" allot, mainly in worship songs, talking about our Lord. But what is "Awe"? When I was a kid, I got "AH" and "AWE" confused, I thought they were the same word. "Gomer Pyle said "AH, sucks sarge", and in church we were told to be in "Awe" of the Lord. I didn't really understand it, but I also thought "Bringing in the Sheeps" was kinda weird too. So what is being in "Awe" of something, someone, ...The first time I saw my ship I was being stationed on while in the Navy it was moving through the tall buildings in downtown San Diego looking like one of them except MOVING with the numbers 63 painted on the side. It was the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63)a very large Aircraft Carrier, coming back to port after a time at sea, as it traveled to the dock at Coronado Island across the bay from downtown San Diego, I was in a cab heading to meet it. To say I was in "AWE" of the size of it is an understatement. How can something that big move? The Grand Canyon is worthy of our "AWE" as it is so beautiful and big. The Golden Gate Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, Mt. Rushmore, and many others.
What is the difference between "AH" and "AWE"? When you see a pretty cute kitten what do you say "AH" or "AW" because it is so cute. When you hit your thumb nail with a hammer, what is one of the things you could say? "AH, MAN, that hurt" Jesus Christ died on the cross for YOUR and my sins, "AH, how sad, or happy that HE did that"? Or I am in "AWE" that someone would do that for me?
To me the word "AWE" means not having another word to describe something. To be speechless because of beauty, or someone actions. When my kids were born I was in Awe of that moment. When I was married I was in awe when I saw my wife coming down the isle towards me. When my Mom died, I was in awe, just in another way, a sad way, the loss of life. We usually refer to things that are good, happy, inspiring as Awe, but I don't think that is always the case.
OK, let's look at the definition of "AWE" :
: an emotion variously combining dread, veneration, and wonder that is inspired by authority or by the sacred or sublime
So there you are, according to Webster "Awe" can be used to describe dread, or wonder. The scene in the movie: " Saving Private Ryan", of the destruction on Omaha Beach on D-Day with all the death and destruction leaves me in awe, every time I see it.
Exodus 14:31
When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the Lord had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before him. They put their faith in the Lord and in his servant Moses.
Mark 9:15
When the crowd saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with awe, and they ran to greet him.
See? The word has two different meanings, one with destruction, power, vengeance, the other with Majesty, Love, Reverence. You see God is both, He will destroy His enemies with His power, might, and vengeance, BUT He will protect, love, and care for us, His children
AWE is not to be confused with AH or AW. You see "Awe" is the only way we can express our reaction to what God is. The song by Michael W Smith, comes to mind: " Our God is an Awesome God" There is no way to describe Him, He is, was, and is to come. I am "AWED" by the things He does for me, the amount of Love, if you can measure love, He has for me, and the lengths He goes to so that I will see Him. His patience, His Love, His Mercy, His Grace, His acceptance of me, His leading, His wisdom, His presence ... I am in Awe of Him. I have never seen Jesus or God His father in the physical, But I am in AWE of Him, because of my relationship with Them.
If you have never felt the "AWE" of God, test Him, let Him work in your life. Just ask Him to come into your life and see what happens. You don't have to do anything else, just ask and listen. If your sincere, and want Him to take over your life, then ask, and give it to Him, if you still have your same problems the next day, then your not giving them to Him, not that you may not have the same ole problems, but that they will not be yours anymore. Give God everything, especially those things you worry about the most. Yes, He really wants them. Let Him AWE you, He will, I guarantee it.