The opening text will come from a book by Abraham Joshua Heschel (God in Search of Man - A Philosophy of Judaism). As you are able to see by the title, the language may be a bit dated and therefore, I will, when able, make the language inclusive.
Ultimate meaning and ultimate wisdom are not found within the world but in God, and the only way to wisdom is…through our relationship with God. That relationship is awe. Awe, in this sense, is more than an emotions; it is a way of understanding. Awe is itself an act of insight into a meaning greater than ourselves.
The question, therefore, where shall wisdom be found? is answered by the Psalmist: the awe of God is the beginning of wisdom. The Bible does not preach awe as a form of intellectual resignation; it does not say, awe is the end of wisdom. Its intention seems to be that awe is a way to wisdom. In Job we encounter a complete equation: the awe of God is wisdom.
The beginning of awe is wonder, and the beginning of wisdom is awe.
Today I was confronted by a simple question…maybe it was more a statement in the form of a question. It had to do with the vast and unlimited love of God…a love that cannot be contained or limited by any regulations or specifications. It is unbounded…it is just beyond anything we can comprehend…it is awe inspiring. How do we live and how do we make decisions when we are a people called into life by our God whose love is boundless and whose love is the essence of God’s creativity that has sewn together our own lives?!? Is that a question that can be answered or is it a statement that is meant to help us see beyond what is and begin that journey of trust that keeps pulling us into the radical love of God’s reign…a reign I would say is displayed in the life of Jesus and a life to which the prophets give witness?!? To be in awe of our God is to be within a time…and opportunity, to fly beyond what can be seen into that which is just over the border of sight. In the mist of that which inspires awe - the marvelous love of God – rests wisdom enough to fill the cosmos to overflowing. And yet, too often, we do not dare to walk into the domain of such awe inspiring wisdom.
Connection: What does it take to be a peace maker? It may take the gift of being swept off our feet when we notice the awe inspiring wisdom available to us in the ordinary things of this day that are really quite extraordinary. Even the working of a group…an office…a couple of people trying to get something done can bring us into the experience of awe…and then…who knows what peace makers we may become. For then, we may not need to hold so strongly to what we want and that which we can see.
Lord of what is not yet and all that is and has been, lift up our eyes that we may catch a glimpse of the vastness of your love and then, experience the beginning of the peace you have promised to all your beloved people. Praise to you O God. Amen.
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