You Are NOT Awesome!
In life we are so used to just throwing words out there without really thinking about their meaning, and I will be the first to admit my folly. I can tell you how much I LOVE Natural Vanilla Breyer’s ice cream (with Hershey’s Special Dark chocolate chips on top), and in the very next sentence I can tell my wife how much I LOVE her. Now we have all heard this analogy before and how they, of course, are different kinds of love and we all understand what is being stated, even though we are using the same word, LOVE.
So in thinking on those terms, what other words do we loosely throw around? Well for me, for the longest time, was the word ‘Awesome’. I would say how that wave I rode (back in the day) was so awesome, and how that song I just heard was so awesome, or my best friend – well he’s awesome too. And the list goes and on and on… But really? Are those things really, ‘awesome’? Are those people really ‘awesome’? I looked up the word ‘awe’ in the dictionary and here is what it says: “a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder.” Now, by sheer definition of the word ‘awe’, in my mind, there is only one that will ever hold the title of ‘Awesome’ and that is Jesus.
I was challenged quite a few years back when I heard Matt Redman share that he has reserved things only for the Lord, including capitalizing every reference to Him when writing, I was stoked on that because I did the same thing! Well it got me to thinking and I started to think about other words or things that I could set apart for Him and Him alone and one of those is the word ‘awesome’. I have done my best since then to keep that word reserved just for Him in everything I say or write. I’ve actually replaced that word in my vocabulary with the word ‘rad’ – I like telling people that they are rad instead!
Of course this is by no means something I would push on anyone else, and yes sometimes the word slips out and I just may call you or something you did awesome. This is more of a personal conviction of my own…
And so I ask you! What things/words/actions have you reserved for Him and Him alone? And what things that we say or do can we reclaim for His glory and honor?
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39 Comments
Jim
Thursday, 3rd September 2009 at 2:54 pm
i am awesome in God's eyes
buchanan23
Thursday, 3rd September 2009 at 3:05 pm
ha! He loves you, that we know for sure… but the other? Well, we will let Him decide!
dennarr
Thursday, 3rd September 2009 at 3:13 pm
Great post! "Awesome" is one that I am cognizant of in my vocab. The power of words is something that is lost…
Jay
Thursday, 3rd September 2009 at 3:17 pm
When we were doing James MacDonald's small group study 'Downpour' (which I highly recommend), there was one part where he discussed using the word "awesome" and how like you said, it should be reserved for God who truly is awesome. I've tried not to use the word as well, though at times it does come out. I always think about Isaiah 6:2 and the seraphim that could not even look at God because of how awesome and holy He is.
Jim
Thursday, 3rd September 2009 at 3:19 pm
Yeah…thanks for the reminder…Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
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buchanan23
Thursday, 3rd September 2009 at 3:27 pm
True, I think we are way to quick to just throw words out without really thinking about or understanding what we are saying!
buchanan23
Thursday, 3rd September 2009 at 3:36 pm
Isaiah 6 gives us a great window into the 'Awesome-ness' of God. I think it's good that we take the time to re-evalute and see if there are things that we can change that will bring God more glory… after all, that's what we're in this for!
@DeepWaterWalk
Thursday, 3rd September 2009 at 4:16 pm
This is good stuff, brother! I've always gotten hung up on the word 'incredible'. It's another one of those words, but in a negative light. It literally means to have no credibility. But people use it in the same way as 'awesome' is used. Isn't that peculiar? LOL! You have stirred my spirit this morning! Thank you!
buchanan23
Thursday, 3rd September 2009 at 4:26 pm
Ugh.. I know! Incredible is definitely one that I struggle with too, I never like referring to Him as Incredible…
Glad you are stirred!
Theresa
Thursday, 3rd September 2009 at 5:22 pm
I am with you about Awesome, Incredible and even Mighty.
But one of the things that gets me…I am probably changing the subject sorry…is when you ask someone how they are and they respond "blessed". Don't get me wrong we are all Blessed just to be breathing. But when you start using it as commonly as "I am Fine". It losses it's punch. It losses it's AWEsomeness. It losses it's Blessedness.
BTW) I too am a capitalizing girl when it comes to talking about Him!
CJ Kelly
Thursday, 3rd September 2009 at 6:45 pm
Brandon,
"Awesome" thoughts.
Seriously, you nailed it. Oh, I'm also a "Divine Capitalizer".
You know, I don't know that there are specific words or phrases that I only use for God, but I know that I speak differently and with a different purpose when I'm trying to describe an indescribable God.
I think the observation that leads to the conclusion that God is infinitely bigger than anything we can use to try to describe Him is the important thing. Of course, I personally believe that He loves to hear us try to explain just how amazing and awesome He is…
Rich Kirkpatrick
Thursday, 3rd September 2009 at 6:53 pm
Awesome post brutha!
I think language is cultural, so I am not as legalistic about that. But to answer your question, I believe the name Jesus should be used carefully. I often hear people jest. Hmm.
buchanan23
Thursday, 3rd September 2009 at 7:21 pm
Cool! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
buchanan23
Thursday, 3rd September 2009 at 7:23 pm
Haha! I like that, Divine Capitalizer…
I am with you, I think God probably gets a kick out of us and our feeble attempts at describing Him when really He is so much bigger and better than we will ever know this side of heaven. Thanks for sharing!
buchanan23
Thursday, 3rd September 2009 at 7:26 pm
I wouldn't call it "legalistic" as much as I would say that it's something I try to do special for my Lord. Much like we as husbands try to do things that bless our wives, we don't HAVE to do them, but we GET to do them because we want them to know that we love them, and they are blessed by it. In the same way, I feel that God is blessed when we extend our love to Him in these little ways.
It's the little things you know…
Rich Kirkpatrick
Thursday, 3rd September 2009 at 7:37 pm
Legalism=us putting rules that are not in the Bible that are lower than God's law which we can keep and feel pretty good about ourselves or make others feel not so good.
So, I would not say you are being legalistic unless you say I am disobeying God by calling something awesome like a fish taco that just is the best. Its when we set up rules we like to keep that might be great for us but really are matters of personal conscience and could change depending on culture. Language is cultural. To one person offense another the opposite can come from the same words.
So, your point is making something special. I like that. Its just not a black and white deal.
dennarr
Thursday, 3rd September 2009 at 7:42 pm
Rich – totally true & agree. Care and discenment is needed…at some point, we cross from honoring God to judging others.
I know a person at church who cringes each time someone says "awesome" apart from talking about God and has even approached me about talking to some of our leaders about it. My counsel was that – knowing the hearts of those who used the word – they were not taking anything away from the AWESOMENESS of God…it was a cultural use.
Just a thought (to stir things up)…How many of us who abstain from using Awesome in regular conversations use "jeez" or "gosh"?
Brandon – way to get the convos going on a Thursday!
buchanan23
Thursday, 3rd September 2009 at 7:56 pm
Exactly! I agree 100 % about legalism which is why I said this in my post: "Of course this is by no means something I would push on anyone else, and yes sometimes the word slips out and I just may call you or something you did awesome. This is more of a personal conviction of my own…"
Just something that I am setting apart for the Lord, and sometimes I will say Awesome for something else and I don't feel bad about it.. like right now, Rich… you are awesome… see… but He is still more Awesome!
haha!
buchanan23
Thursday, 3rd September 2009 at 7:58 pm
Dennis, great point! I would NEVER NEVER NEVER tell someone else they had to do this. Nor would I ever look down on someone who did use this word on a regular basis.
And to be honest… jeez and gosh are part of my every day routine… not proud of saying them all the time, especially when I hear my kids saying them… ugh…
Russ Hutto
Thursday, 3rd September 2009 at 8:01 pm
Definitely a heart thing for sure. Personally, I don't like to use the word awesome at all because it's so watered down CULTURALLY. Kind of like "cool" – are all those things and situations and people we use the word cool to describe really cool, no way.
But like I said, ir's all about the HEART. I appreciate your heart in this and I respect it greatly. It's inspiring to me that you've consecrated YOUR awesome for the Lord!!
Blessings.
joshuawhite
Thursday, 3rd September 2009 at 8:11 pm
I beg to differ.
My response:
http://www.loveisgreaterthan.com/yep
buchanan23
Thursday, 3rd September 2009 at 8:33 pm
Love it, Josh… but the funny thing was that there was nothing in that video that said anything about you being Awesome… have you changed your ways???
buchanan23
Thursday, 3rd September 2009 at 8:37 pm
Thanks for stopping by, Russ. I agree there are some words that have become so "cultural" that they have lost their true meaning. I am by no means an expert here and I still throw Awesome around from time to time but I am doing my best to keep that one for Him.
joshuawhite
Thursday, 3rd September 2009 at 8:38 pm
Yeah, I'm content with just being amazing.
buchanan23
Thursday, 3rd September 2009 at 8:51 pm
and that you are!
Sarah
Thursday, 3rd September 2009 at 9:37 pm
I thought this was a really cool but/and really challenging post (I say 'but' because who REALLY likes being challenged? LoL).
I know what you're saying is true but that means that I need to find a new word cu I use awesome LOADS!
*sigh* . . .maybe . . .I could use swell?
Just doesn't have the same ring :O(
Haha!
tam
Thursday, 3rd September 2009 at 10:45 pm
i feel the same way about token little phrases that we say all the time. like, "God showed up today". um, He's omnipresent. i think WE show up and confuse the difference.
buchanan23
Friday, 4th September 2009 at 2:54 am
That's the beauty of this… you don't HAVE to change a thing. If you want to keep saying awesome for everything, God's cool with that! This is just a between me and Him kinda thing.
buchanan23
Friday, 4th September 2009 at 2:56 am
We've had this talk before I am in total agreement with you! Talking about God showing up and even begging for His presence at times during worship seems rather silly… but that's a whole 'nuther post right there!
Thanks for stopping by, Tam, I am honored!
David
Friday, 4th September 2009 at 3:46 am
This brings up something interesting though….God cannot be where darkness is. So, in His omnipresence, He's not in hell. Or where satan is (I have chosen to never capitalise his name again). And satan is certainly on the earth – indeed the prince of this present age.
I'm not disagreeing, just throws up something I think about a lot
David
Friday, 4th September 2009 at 3:48 am
For a while, I had "awesome" in my email signature. It's gone now. I've not actually replaced it with anything.
Our church was renamed Awesome Church on 1 July, based on Genesis 28:17, but also reflecting the true meaning of the word. It's a great conversation starter, and people come along to check it out, curious by what goes in a church named Awesome, rather than Harbourside Christian Life Centre.
buchanan23
Friday, 4th September 2009 at 4:13 am
Great point, David. I see hell as being a place absent of the presence of God, just like you mentioned. But this is what I'm thinking here, 1 John 1:5 says that "God is light and in Him is no darkness at all" but I don't know that I can back up what you said, that God's presence cannot be where darkness is, with any scripture. This world can be a dark place but God's presence is still all over. His presence is not OF the darkness but it is IN the darkness… just like we are not OF the world but we are IN the world…
Think about when a person gets saved, God's presence meets them where they are, many times in the darkness, and rescues them from that.
your thoughts?
buchanan23
Friday, 4th September 2009 at 4:15 am
What a great name for a church! And a super cool idea to get people thinking!
David
Friday, 4th September 2009 at 11:48 am
Absolutely, and John 1:5 is actually the main scripture that I believe backs up what I said – God is light, and light is the absence of darkness. God rescues people because they cry out to Him, and hence allow Him to overcome their personal darkness. God doesn't do that until invited – at least that's how I think of it.
Not that this was meant to get into the finer points of hermeneutics or anything like that…I'm likely out of my depth already, and I think we really mean the same thing anyway.
David
Friday, 4th September 2009 at 11:49 am
Coming back to the "God showed up" thing though…there is Biblical backing for the concept of God making a special manifestation of Himself in certain places at certain times (Isaiah 64: 1,2 ; Genesis 11:5). It doesn't discount His omnipresence, just that He can be near or far from us in a more personal sense – such as when His Spirit withdrew from Saul. He wasn't in Saul, but withdrew from Him.
All that to say…I think we definitely do use the "God showed up" thing too liberally – just as we use the words awesome and love too liberally – but I also think the concept of God 'showing up' has Biblical backing in addition to His essential omnipresence.
buchanan23
Friday, 4th September 2009 at 1:26 pm
Yeah, I think we are definitely on the same page here. This is great! I love the whole iron sharpening iron going on.
buchanan23
Friday, 4th September 2009 at 1:34 pm
I am so glad you brought this up. It never even crossed my mind in all of this that one of my favorite moments in scripture is in 2 Chron. 5:11-14 where God showed up in a HUGE way! So much so that the priests could not even stand to continue their ministry. Even though God is Omnipresent there are times where He shows up with greater fervor!
I think Tam's point is around the people who showing up at church on Sundays, God does a neat work in their hearts, and they just aren't sure how to describe it, so they spit out "Wow, God really showed up today huh?"
This whole language thing is tricky… I think it's just super important that we consider the things that we say, especially when talking about Jesus, we don't ever want to mis-represent Him!
tam
Friday, 11th September 2009 at 4:59 am
exactly brandon! and yes, im late to the party ;o
i just think we dont fully think about how we're saying things, thats all. we talk so flippantly at times. we, meaning me too.
buchanan23
Friday, 11th September 2009 at 5:14 am
fashionably late is cool!
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