Experiencing Awe

 

“The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the works of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.” *

 During the first week in April, Al and I were the guests of our friends, Joe and JoAnn Payne at their home in Waco, Texas. At the same time, they were also hosting another couple, Paula and Steve Koch from California. JoAnn, Paula and I had formed a life-long friendship from college days.

 Paula and Steve had met us in San Antonio on Tuesday where we were able to explore the Riverwalk together. The Paynes met us the next day and took us to tour the Alamo and Natural Bridge Caverns before driving us to Waco on Wednesday evening.

As it turned out, the city of Waco was gearing up for more guests to arrive…thousands of them! Waco was one of those places where the totality of the solar eclipse, taking place on Monday April 8^th, could be observed and we would be there!

Al and I had participated in an online lecture before the trip that explained what people might be able to see when totality occurred. For 4 ½ minutes, the moon would be lined up with the sun, so that only the corona of the sun would be visible.

It would be a wonderful opportunity for people to observe this unusual phenomenon; however, the presenter stressed the importance of wearing approved solar glasses in order to avoid damaging the eyes by looking directly at the sun.

In the days before the eclipse, we visited the grounds of Magnolia Market, established by Chip and Joanna Gaines of “Fixer Upper” fame  and also Homestead Heritage community, a self-sustaining Christian community with a 550-acre farm, grist mill and  crafts village. 

On Sunday, we attended the Payne’s church, played ping pong and had a relaxing day in anticipation of the next day’s event. Since an afternoon rainstorm was also predicted to happen on Monday, many folks in the area were praying for good weather!

While the rest of our group claimed a spot at a park with an open view of the sky on Monday, Al and I decided to avoid the crowds and watch from the vantage point of the Payne’s backyard.

We sat side by side on their patio, enjoying the springtime melodies of the birds, especially the cardinals. Cardinals in Texas? Who would have guessed?

In spite of the forecast for rain, it was quite warm around noon, even intense when the sun was shining with full force on us. At the designated time, we donned our glasses and watched as the moon began to slide in front of the sun.

As more of the sun was covered, the sky began to darken and the temperature cooled down. How amazing that the sun, 93 million miles away, provides life-sustaining heat and light to the earth! Even the cardinals quieted their singing for a time as we sat silently, taking it all in.

Just when only a sliver of the sun was showing, the clouds rolled in, completely obscuring it from view. Oh no!  By the time they broke up, the brief opportunity to see totality had passed and the birds were resuming their songs.

  Our friends in the park were able to view it; however, we just happened to have chosen the wrong place. Later, many people described the experience as a moment of awe, of being overcome by something far greater than themselves, perhaps even getting a glimpse of  God’s glory.

Not only is God’s glory revealed through creation, it has also been manifested in His Son Jesus. As the apostle John put it, “We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1: 14b NIV)

John experienced the glory of God as revealed in Jesus, through the three years of Jesus’ ministry and the amazing events of his resurrection and ascension into heaven.   

How can we experience God’s glory in our own lives? First, by opening our hearts to Him and putting our faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord. Then, by receiving God’s forgiveness and unconditional love. Miracles of answered prayers, transformed lives, inner peace and joy attest to His glory.

A personal relationship with God is a lifelong experience. Don’t miss out on it!

“To God be the glory, great things He hath done!” (Fanny Crosby, 1875)

*Ps. 19:1-2 NIV