"I am the vine; you are the branches.
If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit..."

~ John 5:15

Abiding in Awe

How would you describe holy? Is it a hard thing to put into words?

In 1917, theologian Rudolf Otto coined the Latin phrase mysterium tremendum et fascinans, describing holy as an awe-inspiring, tremendous, and fascinating mystery. Opening ourselves up to be present with God’s holiness is awe-inspiring and tremendous, indeed.

When I was in college, I worked summers at the university’s youth camp. Each June, youth groups from all over Texas would pour onto our campus for a week of mission projects, Bible studies, swimming, paddle boating, talent shows, late nights in the dorms, and early mornings on the river. We would have a different preacher and guest musician each week.

Those summers taught me a lot about ministry and a lot about myself — what was it like to meet brand new students and new pastors every week and how it felt to be responsible for 7th graders. Whew.  One beautiful song still rings in my ears, 25 years later.

One group of leaders that summer, pastor Greg Pinkner and musician Chad Cates, had put John 15:5 to music. “I am the vine, you are the branches. Remain in me.” It was such a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of youth camp to sit and sing together a slow, melodic song about remaining and abiding in Christ. It felt like a lens focusing us back to the the strength of God. 

I learned a lot about faith in that song. I learned the blessings of taking the time to still myself and abide in the holy no matter the noise, no matter the schedule.

The world is busy, and the church seasons invite us to slow down and be present. Church work does ask us to be active and attentive to the needs of the world, yes, and church work bids us to gather that strength by first abiding in God’s presence and love. This Lent, let us focus in on a practice of abiding in awe. When we turn to God’s beauty, meaning, and wonder with curiosity and delight, how will we be strengthened to grow just like fruit on a vine? As Rev. Lauren DeLano Grosskopf says, “Jesus transforms Christians from people of the world to people who serve the world.”

This Lent we will pause and rest on the beauty of that transformation point — what happens as we grow in God's love? What happens when we abide in awe? How does seeing ourselves and the world through the lens of God’s presence fill and encourage us?