Holy Awe
Why the preacher must guard a trembling joy before the God who speaks.
The closer we draw to Advent, the louder the world becomes. Yet for the expositor, these weeks invite not frenzy but awe—a renewed trembling before the wonder of the God who took on flesh. Preachers need more than clever outlines and polished delivery. We need holy awe.
The Quiet Disappearing of Awe
Ministry can make us efficient but empty. The relentless pace of preaching, pastoral care, administration, and spiritual burdens can slowly diminish our sense of wonder. We grow accustomed to holy things. Familiarity becomes a kind of dullness.
There is a danger here. When awe evaporates, preaching becomes mechanical. The pulpit becomes a place we perform rather than a place where we tremble. We handle the Bible with professional confidence instead of reverent joy. The loss is not only ours; it is our congregation’s as well.
The people of God are helped most by preachers who have first been humbled, stilled, and astonished before the face of God.
We cannot manufacture awe. But we can neglect it. And neglect is often the first step toward spiritual dryness.
The God Who Inspires Awe
Advent reminds us that the God of majesty descended into frailty. The eternal Word became flesh. Angels rejoiced; shepherds trembled; Mary pondered. The world did not receive a theory or a theme but a Person. The incarnation is the great rebuke to every preacher who has grown casual with holy things.
This season confronts us with the staggering truth that the One who spoke galaxies into being became a child upheld by a young mother. The holy God drew near—not as we might expect, but in humility, weakness, and mercy. If anything can restore awe, it is this.
True awe is rooted not in emotional surges but in beholding God as He reveals Himself. Awe is the fruit of revelation. It grows where the Word is opened, pondered, and believed.
Awe in the Life of the Expositor
Awe changes us. It slows us down. It steadies us. It rescues us from the restless ambition that quietly fuels so much ministry. Awe takes our eyes off ourselves—our abilities, our weaknesses, our comparisons—and fixes them on the glory of Christ.
When a preacher recovers awe:
- His sermons gain weight—not heaviness, but gravity.
- His tone gains warmth—truth spoken with adoration is different from truth spoken with mere accuracy.
- His heart gains peace—because awe draws him nearer to the One who holds all things together.
Awe does not make us theatrical. It makes us genuine. People can sense the difference.
Practices That Cultivate Awe
1. Slow Down Before the Word
Read until something arrests you. Sit with the text until you feel its weight. Do not rush to outlines or commentaries.
2. Pray Beyond Utility
Ask not simply for a sermon but for a sight of Christ. Awe rises when prayer deepens beyond requests into worship.
3. Confess Cynicism
Weariness breeds unbelief. Name it before the Lord. Awe grows where honesty opens space for grace.
4. Embrace Silence
Quiet is not a luxury but a necessity. Awe cannot survive constant noise. Resist the urge to fill every moment with motion.
A Prayer for Holy Awe
Lord, restore in us a trembling joy before You. Rescue us from the dullness that comes with familiarity. Let Your Word arrest us, humble us, soften us, and renew us. Make us preachers who tremble at Your Word, who proclaim Christ with sincerity, and who shepherd Your people with reverent compassion. Give us holy awe as we enter this Advent season.