Embracing Awe: Living in God's Abundant Presence

Devotional

Day 1: Creation Proclaims God’s Glory and Presence

The world around us is alive with the testimony of God’s creative power and love. Even without words, the heavens and the earth declare the glory of God, inviting us to notice the abundance, beauty, and interconnectedness of all creation. This awareness calls us to a posture of gratitude and reverence, recognizing that God’s presence is not confined to sacred buildings or special moments, but is woven into the fabric of everyday life. As we open our senses to the world, we are reminded that God’s message of love and life is always being spoken, if only we pause to listen. [39:33]

Psalm 19:1-4 (ESV)
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.

Reflection: Where in your daily life do you notice creation pointing you toward God’s presence and love? How can you pause today to listen to what God is saying through the world around you?

Day 2: God’s Law Revives and Enlightens

God’s teachings are not burdensome rules, but life-giving guidance that revives the soul, brings joy to the heart, and enlightens the eyes. When we allow ourselves to be shaped by God’s wisdom, we find clarity, renewal, and a deeper sense of purpose. Just as ancient practices like smudging are meant to center and purify, so too does God’s word cleanse and orient us toward what is good and true. Embracing God’s precepts with gratitude opens us to transformation and a more vibrant spiritual life. [41:10]

Psalm 19:7-10 (ESV)
The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.

Reflection: What is one teaching or command of God that you can intentionally embrace today to bring renewal and clarity to your heart?

Day 3: Expecting to Encounter the Living God

It is easy to fall into routines of faith that are more about belief than about real encounter. Yet, God is not distant or passive—God is alive, present, and still speaking. The invitation is to live with the expectation that God will show up in our lives, in our worship, and in our communities, even when circumstances seem uncertain or discouraging. When we open ourselves to the possibility of God’s active presence, we become more attuned to moments of awe, guidance, and transformation that can rekindle our hope and purpose. [46:07]

Exodus 33:18-23 (ESV)
Moses said, “Please show me your glory.”
And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” And the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.”

Reflection: How might you approach your prayers, worship, or daily life differently if you truly expected to encounter the living God today?

Day 4: Alive Is Beautiful—Choosing Life Over Mere Existence

True beauty in a community or a person is not found in numbers or outward success, but in being fully alive—engaged, hopeful, and open to God’s movement. It is possible to go through the motions of faith or life without truly living, but God calls us to more: to be vibrant, courageous, and to inspire one another to believe in the possibility of transformation. Measuring our impact by the life we share and the hope we embody, rather than by worldly standards, allows us to become a testament to God’s ongoing work in the world. [46:07]

John 10:10 (ESV)
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Reflection: What is one way you can choose to be more fully alive in your faith or relationships today, rather than simply going through the motions?

Day 5: Living as a Community of Resurrection and Hope

As followers of Christ, we are called to be an Easter people—grounded in the liberating power of resurrection, living with hope even in the face of decline or uncertainty. This means embodying gratitude, caring for one another, seeking justice, and trusting that God’s Spirit is at work among us. When we remember who we are and whose we are, we can show up as a community that is alive, beautiful, and a witness to the world that God is still present, still loving, and still calling us to new life. [56:02]

Romans 12:4-5, 9-13 (ESV)
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
…
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Reflection: Who in your community needs encouragement or hope today, and how can you reach out to them as a sign of resurrection life?

Sermon Summary

The psalm for today overflows with joy and awe, inviting us to orient our whole selves—hearts, minds, and bodies—toward the God of resurrection. Creation itself proclaims God’s glory, not with words, but with a voice that resounds through all the earth. This is a call to live in praise, to recognize the abundance and beauty of the world, and to trust that God’s provision is enough. Drawing from Indigenous worldviews, there is wisdom in taking only what we need, grounded in gratitude and respect for the Creator’s ongoing generosity. This posture of reverence and trust is echoed in the psalmist’s celebration of God’s law: it revives the soul, enlightens the eyes, and rejoices the heart.

Yet, it is easy to lose this orientation. In the busyness of ministry, activism, and leadership, we can become so focused on doing that we forget to simply be in awe of God’s presence. The call to spiritual leadership is not just about action, but about being reconnected to the source of our calling, to look at the world and each other with reverence and hope. Even in times of decline, disruption, and uncertainty—when the church feels adrift and the world’s noise drowns out the good news—there is hope in returning to the core: encountering the living God.

Secularism challenges us in three ways: by dividing the sacred from the everyday, by reducing religious commitment, and by making belief itself fragile and contested. Too often, we settle for a faith that is intellectual or nostalgic, rather than expectant and alive. The true measure of a community is not its size or resources, but its aliveness—its capacity to inspire, to encounter God, and to be transformed. “Alive is beautiful” becomes a mantra, a reminder that our calling is to be a living testament to God’s presence.

What if we truly believed that God shows up, that our prayers matter, and that we are sacred, beloved children? What if our communities were places of real encounter, gratitude, and mutual care? This is not a one-time conversation, but a lifelong return to our roots, to our purpose, and to the living God who still speaks and acts. In communion, we remember Christ’s liberating love and are commissioned to feed, forgive, and love as we have been loved. We are called to embody hope, care for creation, and choose life, trusting that God’s creative work continues until all things are made whole.

Key Takeaways

1. Creation as a Living Testimony The natural world proclaims God’s glory without words, inviting us to listen with our hearts and to live in gratitude and respect. Indigenous wisdom teaches us to trust in the Creator’s abundance and to take only what we need, fostering a posture of humility and reverence. This orientation grounds us in a spirituality that is attentive to God’s ongoing work in creation. [39:33]
2. The Danger of Busyness and Disconnection Even when our work is deeply informed by faith, it is possible to become so busy with doing that we lose touch with the awe and reverence that first called us. Spiritual leadership is not just about action, but about being reconnected to God’s presence, which revives our sense of purpose and wonder. True discipleship requires us to pause, to be present, and to let God’s Spirit renew us. [42:35]
3. Alive is Beautiful: Measuring by Spiritual Vitality The true beauty of a faith community is not in its numbers or resources, but in its aliveness—its capacity to inspire, to encounter the living God, and to be transformed. In a secular age, it is tempting to measure success by worldly standards, but God calls us to be alive, expectant, and open to the Spirit’s movement. A living community, no matter its size, is a testament to God’s ongoing presence. [46:07]
4. Expecting God to Show Up Too often, we settle for a faith that is intellectual or nostalgic, doubting that God truly acts in our lives and world. Yet, the God of resurrection is a God who shows up, who speaks, heals, and transforms. We are invited to pray and live with expectancy, trusting that God’s presence is real and active, even when we cannot see it directly. [43:49]
5. Communion as Commission and Hope At the table, we remember Christ’s liberating love and are commissioned to feed, forgive, and love as we have been loved. Communion is not just remembrance, but a call to embody hope, care for creation, and participate in God’s ongoing work of healing and wholeness. In this sacred meal, we are reminded that God’s creative work continues, and we are invited to join in it with gratitude and courage.

** [84:39]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Introduction and Accessibility
[02:30] - Description of Vestments and Symbols
[04:10] - Opening Prayer and Orientation
[06:00] - Joyful Praise and Psalm Reflection
[09:15] - Indigenous Worldviews and Abundance
[12:00] - Creation’s Silent Testimony
[15:30] - The Law of the Lord Revives
[18:00] - The Challenge of Busyness in Ministry
[21:00] - Spiritual Leadership and Reconnection
[24:00] - The Church in Transition and Decline
[28:00] - Secularism and the Fragility of Belief
[32:00] - Alive is Beautiful: A New Measure
[36:00] - Expecting God’s Presence
[40:00] - Returning to Our Roots and Purpose
[44:00] - Communion: Remembering and Commissioning
[48:00] - Closing Blessing and Sending Forth

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Alive is Beautiful – Returning to Awe, Gratitude, and Expectancy”

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### Bible Reading

Psalm 19:1-11 (NRSV)
> The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
> Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.
> There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard;
> yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.
> ...
> The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;
> the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple;
> the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
> the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes;
> ...
> More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
> sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.

Luke 24:30-32 (NRSV)
> When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.
> Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight.
> They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?”

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### Observation Questions

According to Psalm 19, how does creation “speak” about God’s glory, even though it uses no words?
What are some of the ways the psalmist describes God’s law and its effect on people? (see Psalm 19:7-8)
In the sermon, what Indigenous worldview is highlighted as a way of relating to creation and the Creator? [39:33]
What does the preacher say is the real measure of a faith community’s beauty and vitality? [46:07]

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### Interpretation Questions

The sermon mentions that creation proclaims God’s glory without words. What does it mean to “listen with our hearts” to creation’s testimony? How might this change our daily awareness? [39:33]
The preacher warns about the danger of busyness and disconnection in ministry and life. Why is it so easy to lose a sense of awe and reverence for God, even when doing good things? [42:35]
The phrase “Alive is beautiful” is used as a new way to measure church vitality. What does it look like for a community to be “alive” in faith, rather than just busy or nostalgic? [46:07]
The sermon challenges us to expect God to show up in our lives and communities. What are some reasons people might doubt that God is still active and present? [43:49]

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### Application Questions

The psalm and the sermon both invite us to notice God’s glory in creation. This week, what is one specific way you can pause and pay attention to the beauty and abundance around you? How might you express gratitude for it? [39:33]
The Indigenous wisdom shared in the sermon encourages taking only what we need and living with gratitude. Are there areas in your life where you tend to take more than you need—whether it’s time, resources, or attention? What would it look like to practice “enough” this week? [39:33]
The preacher talks about getting so busy with ministry or activism that we lose touch with God’s presence. Is there a part of your life where you feel disconnected from awe or wonder? What is one small step you could take to reconnect? [42:35]
“Alive is beautiful” means measuring our community by spiritual vitality, not numbers. How can you help foster a sense of aliveness in your small group or church? What would you like to see change? [46:07]
The sermon asks, “What if we truly believed that God shows up, that our prayers matter, and that we are sacred, beloved children?” Is there a prayer or hope you’ve given up on? What would it look like to pray with expectancy again? [43:49]
Communion is described as both remembrance and commissioning—to feed, forgive, and love as we have been loved. Is there someone in your life you feel called to feed (physically or spiritually), forgive, or love in a new way this week? What might that look like? [01:24:39]
The preacher calls us to care for creation and choose life. What is one practical action you can take this week to care for the earth or to choose life in a situation that feels stuck or hopeless? [01:27:54]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for open eyes and hearts—to see God’s glory in creation, to be reconnected to awe and gratitude, and to expect God’s living presence in their lives and community.

Sermon Clips

Alive is beautiful. We don't need to struggle to hit a certain level of membership, but we do need to struggle for our lives to be alive, not just to believe in god but to expect with every fiber of our being that the living god shows up and acts in the world, that the holy spirit will pour over us in worship and light a fire in our bellies to be a healing balm in our grief, that god is a god who shows up for us. [00:54:07] (32 seconds) Edit Clip

What if we showed up and really treated each other and our communities as if we were and are the sacred beautiful fallible wonderful children of god that we were born to be? What if we treated church as if it was in fact a temple and testament to this radically powerful and active god? What if we believe that we were actually filled with Christ's love, like for real and all the time? [00:55:15] (32 seconds) Edit Clip

Even if like Moses we never see the face of god, we feel god's actual presence and know that god's glory is passing us by even as we are covered by god's hand and cannot see god's face but only. Not only but first we strove for a trip to out alive not tired and scared and tired of praying. What if we showed up and believed that our prayers matter, that they were what mattered most? [00:54:39] (37 seconds) Edit Clip

To believe that although death comes, life cannot be overcome by death, and that we must know truly and deeply in our bones the liberating power of the resurrection. But being grounded in this deep spirituality and world discipleship also allows us to really end. Bye -bye important. Thank you. Truly celebrate God's presence and to live with respect and creation, to live in Christian community. [00:44:31] (29 seconds) Edit Clip

What if we lived in true Christian community with each other like Dietrich Bonhoeffer encourages us to, in lives that were grounded first in gratitude, next in knowing our neighbors so well that their prayers became our prayers? I could preach on this for a long time more but I won't and this is not a one Sunday conversation, this is about returning to our roots, remembering who we are and whose we are, coming to understand our purpose and ministry in all its wondrous diversity. [00:55:47] (33 seconds) Edit Clip

Professor Root says most of us in the west can live our lives as if there is no living god who enters into history and speaks to persons. Westerners hold and by westerners I don't mean western Canada, I mean westerners is in like European euro Christian culture. Westerners hold on to the idea of god, most of us believe in god but few of us are sure that we can encounter this god. Most people even in our churches would not claim that the church is for encountering a living god who speaks and moves in the world. [00:50:52] (35 seconds) Edit Clip