Are you in awe?

Recently at church, a discussion question was posed to us:

Has there ever been a time you have felt small?

In a heartbeat I could confidently answer that question with an all the time. The question related to our sermon on Psalm 8. Usually when I feel small, it is in quite a negative way (I think I am not worth anyone’s time; I think I am not worthy at all). But, over Christmas while on holidays I felt really small. This time in a very different way. I felt small as I acknowledged the greatness of our God. I felt small as I was in awe of how majestic our God is.

The holiday was a 3 week camping trip around the South of Australia. I can think of plenty of words to describe the trip: fun, incredible, tiring, busy, amazing.

The trip took us from our hometown of Port Macquarie to the country’s capital of Canberra, to the underworld of Tasmania, to the rocky road of Victoria. Not to mention all the towns in between!

Apart from Canberra, these were places I had never visited before so I was quite keen to explore another part of the country.

In the midst of the hours on the road, setting up and packing up camp, and figuring out a Christmas dinner, we had the opportunity to site see. Each new site I came face-to-face with, I breathed a, ‘wow, God’.  I was in awe.

Man has done a fantastic job with the eery preservation of Port Arthur Historical Site. There are stories upon stories hidden in the 30 buildings. Port Arthur was once a convict site in the 1800's. It felt strange to walk upon the land that thousands of men convicts once walked on. Even boys as young as seven had been sent to Port Arthur for pitiful crimes. There was an air of fascination walking around the site, acquiring the information from each building and who would have lived there. 


Lighthouses are an interesting and clever invention from man. Table Cape Lighthouse, in Wynyard, was built in 1888. It was one thing, perhaps slightly claustrophobic,  to walk up the steps in a tiny, swirly stairwell. But it was another thing to breathe in the fresh air once at the top and look over at the magnificent views of the ocean. 

But though man has done well, God has done greater. Here is why I was in awe:

I was in awe standing at the top of Mount Wellington above the clouds and fogs.

At first it was slightly disappointing to reach the top of the mountain and not be met with the glorious view of Hobart beneath us. But even the clouds are a testament to God's greatness. To stand at the top of the mountain, and be above the clouds in the sky, and above the fog, was enough to be in awe of God's creative works in our weather. 

I was in awe when met with the various rock formations along the Great Ocean Road.

These rocks are so conveniently placed on the coast of Victoria to be dubbed the name 'Twelve Apostles'. Sadly, only nine remain visible to tourists. These rocks are huge! They alone have reason for one to feel small. I was mesmerised by the waves crashing against these great, big rocks. The strength of the rocks immense and frightening as no wave can bring them down in a single sweep. God is awesome.

'The Grotto' was an interesting rock to visit. This rock reminds me of doughnuts, as it stands to be not quite a cave. While the rock itself is breathtaking, peeking through the hole to see the glistening, bright blue waters was a beautiful site to take in. God is amazing.







In all the lighthouse-climbing and rock-viewing, I adored being around the wildlife. It was not as exciting waking up one morning to find a creature had eaten through a packet of breadrolls and sea salt chips. But it was exciting to watch, after that, the Potoroo's (Wallaby-like marsupials) visiting our campsite. And Koala's sleeping in the trees above our tents. (Can you spot the Mum and Baby below?)

No man can ever match God’s majesty.

‘Oh Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth.’ Psalm 8:1 (ESV)

Boy did I ever feel small reflecting on the greatness of God.

This is not something I felt discouraged by. Yes, I am insignificant in this world. But God is majestic. God is greatness, wonder and power. This is a truth to treasure and I will treasure the opportunity I had to see some of His greatness face-to-face.

I struggle with low self-esteem and believing in my insignificance for worse. This year I am challenging myself, and you, to turn it around and be in awe of God’s majesty instead. Through God’s power, we can be used for His glory and greatness. By His grace, we are His children.