Piquing and Maintaining Wonder and Awe Toward God

My pastor is 80 years old. He has been active in ministry for half of his life, sharing a Sunday Sermon on a weekly basis. I honestly don’t even want to do the math of how many that is. And although he has been walking with Jesus for decades, he is the first person I think of as an example of living with wonder and awe toward God.

You see, on a random Sunday he will share with us an “epiphany.” To our community that means something about God revealed in a new or glorious way. And when our pastor presents an epiphany, we all lean in to better understand who God is and what He is doing.

Even at the age of 80, my pastor is in awe and worship of God and invites us into the experience.

Another example is that of Moses. Let’s take a look at one story in Exodus 33 & 34[1].

Exodus 33:14-17
The Israelites have left Egypt and are wandering in the desert. God is providing food, direction and even order. Yet Moses is battling doubt. Instead of reassuring Moses with reminders of how he has overcome his fears, God instead reassures him with His presence and glory.

The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.... What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” And the LORD said, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”[2]

Exodus 33:18-23
In the midst of doubting God’s goodness, Moses asks, “Now show me your glory.”

And the Lord responds,

“I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” Then the LORD said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”

Exodus 34:29-32
After this God provides Moses with the written law of the people. Then the time came for Moses to return to the people.

When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them. Afterward all the Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands the LORD had given him on Mount Sinai.

Let’s look at how this story helps us in our own journey of wonder and awe toward God.

Show me your Glory
Moses himself doubted God. He feared not being able to live out the task God had given him, and he doubted that he had the skills needed to lead well. So he asked, “Show me Your glory.”

As leaders in our classrooms, we often rely on our own understanding, skills, training, and instinct. But when it comes to passing along the awe of God, we often find ourselves forcing the matter. Instead, with hearts open let’s ask God to not for the provision of physical needs or the wisdom to make the right decision, and not even for an escape from a hard situation. No, let’s ask God to “Show us Your glory.”

You will see my back
Verse 33:23 notes that God showed Moses His back. This is better translated, “where I have just been” or “My footprint.”[3] Many times we only see evidence of those footprints of God’s glory: His beautiful creation, amazing food, a friend with a charismatic demeanor.

Where in your classroom do you see God’s footprints? It might be in the insightful and creative essay of a student. It might be in the deep study of geological formations. It might be in the peaceful friendship of the students in your class. When our eyes are attuned to Lord’s glory, He reveals Himself to us.

Radiance
After Moses’ encounter with God on the mountain top, there was a noticeable physical change. Verse 34:30 describes this as radiance. When we seek God’s glory, dwell in His presence, or even just examine His footprints, God shines out through this. This radiance wasn’t something Moses could fabricate; it was the impact of God’s glory on his being. And it was awe-some. So awesome, in fact, that Aaron and the other leaders were afraid. But Moses called them to himself and shared his experience.

This is what I desire for my classroom. I want to share God’s awesome wonder with everyone around me. I want to share with my students the epiphanies, as my pastor calls them, of better knowing God. I want to create a space for my students to question and ask God as well to “show me Your glory.” I want God’s glory to radiate through me.

Like Moses, like my pastor, like those who hear their stories, let’s lean into the wonder and awe of God, seeking the evidence of His glory in the footprints He leaves behind, and letting His glory radiate from us. And, let’s invite others to daily open themselves up to the wonder and awe of our glorious God.

Sarah Trussell
Sarah has a passion for helping young children grow in faith, confidence, and connection. In her classroom, she delights in sharing the love of Jesus while guiding students as they master new skills. She studied Early Childhood Education at Oregon State University and later earned a master’s degree in Christian School Administration. Her calling has taken her across the globe—she has taught both preschool and elementary school in Bamako, Mali, and Bogotá, Colombia. These experiences have shaped her global perspective and deepened her heart for ministry through education. Sarah is married and has two delightful daughters. She enjoys traveling the world, exploring new cultures and foods, and taking quiet walks on trails near her home.