A little while ago I read an article criticising what it described as the ‘current trend’ to use ‘clichéd, exaggerated’ adjectives such as ‘awesome’, and ‘amazing.’ I use these words quite a lot and for a little while after reading the article I started to become quite self-conscious about it.

I mean, I was using ‘You’re awesome’ as commonly as a high five, when its meaning is really ‘extremely impressive or daunting; inspiring awe (a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder)’. Surely I didn’t encounter awe on that scale frequently enough to justify the amount I was using it. Was it accurate to describe a friend that way? And if I used awesome for a friend, what did that leave for God?

No. God and God alone was to be described as awesome. Describing anyone else that way would belittle God. Besides, in my line of work it was a little embarrassing that I couldn’t come up with a wider repertoire. How about ‘eximious’ or ‘prestantious’ (both allegedly valid alternatives to awesome – I remain to be convinced) or the slang words ‘boss, fizzing or bodacious’?

But my brief foray into self-doubt and insecurity was a weak blip. The article was wrong. Categorically.

Why? Quite simply, we were made in the image of God (Genesis 1: 26-27; Genesis 9:6; 1 Corinthians 11:7, James 3:9). If God is awesome, so are we. I am awesome. You are awesome. That’s how God made us. We are children of God. Just like I am made in the image of my parents – carrying their genes – I am made in God’s image – carrying his genes. That means that I carry God’s characteristics. What’s God like? Patient, kind, loving, fair, majestic, holy, merciful, compassionate, slow to anger, and yes, awesome…!!!

A. W. Tozer said ‘What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.’ Who we understand God to be will shape who we are. And I don’t just mean in becoming like him. If we understand that our dad is the Almighty King of Kings – creator of heaven and earth, then we begin to understand who we are and what that means. I am called a child of God (John 1:12, Galatians 3:16, Galatians 3:26) and if a son or daughter, then an heir (Romans 8:17).

The Bible tells me I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139: 14). I am a new creation – the old selfish me has passed away – gone, wiped out (2 Corinthians 5: 17), I am totally and completely forgiven (9 John 1:9), that there’s no condemnation (Romans 8:1), it’s no longer I that lives but Christ that lives in me (Galatians 2:20). I am more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37), I am greatly loved (Romans 5:8), God’s incredible work of art (Ephesians 2:10), his treasured possession (Deuteronomy 7:6), the apple of his eye (Psalm 17). I am a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20). Jesus’ friend (John 15:15). I am crowned with glory and majesty (Psalm 8:5). I am wonderful (Psalm 139:14).

I am made in God’s image, adopted as his child, made holy and righteous, clothed in royal clothes, called his priceless treasure and crowned with glory and majesty.

So I have every right to claim the title ‘awesome’ and absolutely every right to give it to any and every being God made. So yah boo to exaggerated clichés. I will claim it. I will use it. And for the record: You. Are. Awesome!