Holding Holy Tension
By Ryan Dawson
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on how I approach God. I’m deeply grateful that Scripture invites us to know God as Father and friend. God is near, compassionate, and attentive to our prayers. He welcomes us when we are weary, unsure, or burdened. Yet at the same time, God is not casual. He is also Master. He is Holy. And learning to hold these two realities together is essential for a devoted life of faith.
The writer of Hebrews helps us hold this tension beautifully. On the one hand, we are invited to come close—boldly and confidently: “So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” (Hebrews 4:14–16, NLT)
This is astonishing. Because of Jesus, we are welcomed—not pushed away. We don’t approach God cringing in fear or hiding in shame. We come honestly, confidently, knowing He understands us and meets us with mercy.
But Hebrews doesn’t stop there. Later, the same letter reminds us that reverence must shape our response to such grace: “Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a devouring fire.” (Hebrews 12:28-29 NLT)
Gratitude leads to worship. Grace leads to reverence. Intimacy never removes awe—it deepens it. These two passages sit in tension, and that tension is not a problem to solve but a posture to learn. We draw near boldly, and we worship reverently. God is close—and God is holy.
This is why devotion in worship matters so deeply. Worship is not just singing. It is the settled orientation of our lives toward God—choosing Him as our first priority, our highest authority, and our deepest joy. Everything else flows from this. Our courage. Our obedience. Our integrity. Our witness.
That’s why I’m so excited to launch our new series this Sunday: Uncommon Devotion.
Together, we’ll reflect on the life of Daniel—a man who lived with courage and conviction in a culture that pressured him to compromise. Daniel’s devotion wasn’t loud or flashy, but it was unwavering. He resolved in his heart to worship God as a first priority, even when it cost him personally. His public faithfulness flowed from a private devotion.
My prayer is that this series will gently but clearly challenge us as a church:
What does uncommon devotion look like in our everyday lives?
Where might God be inviting us to deepen our worship—not just in song, but in surrender?
Sequoia family, let’s seek this together. Let’s draw near with confidence and worship with holy awe. Let’s become a people shaped by Uncommon Devotion.
I can’t wait to walk this journey with you.
Blessings, Ryan
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on how I approach God. I’m deeply grateful that Scripture invites us to know God as Father and friend. God is near, compassionate, and attentive to our prayers. He welcomes us when we are weary, unsure, or burdened. Yet at the same time, God is not casual. He is also Master. He is Holy. And learning to hold these two realities together is essential for a devoted life of faith.
The writer of Hebrews helps us hold this tension beautifully. On the one hand, we are invited to come close—boldly and confidently: “So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” (Hebrews 4:14–16, NLT)
This is astonishing. Because of Jesus, we are welcomed—not pushed away. We don’t approach God cringing in fear or hiding in shame. We come honestly, confidently, knowing He understands us and meets us with mercy.
But Hebrews doesn’t stop there. Later, the same letter reminds us that reverence must shape our response to such grace: “Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a devouring fire.” (Hebrews 12:28-29 NLT)
Gratitude leads to worship. Grace leads to reverence. Intimacy never removes awe—it deepens it. These two passages sit in tension, and that tension is not a problem to solve but a posture to learn. We draw near boldly, and we worship reverently. God is close—and God is holy.
This is why devotion in worship matters so deeply. Worship is not just singing. It is the settled orientation of our lives toward God—choosing Him as our first priority, our highest authority, and our deepest joy. Everything else flows from this. Our courage. Our obedience. Our integrity. Our witness.
That’s why I’m so excited to launch our new series this Sunday: Uncommon Devotion.
Together, we’ll reflect on the life of Daniel—a man who lived with courage and conviction in a culture that pressured him to compromise. Daniel’s devotion wasn’t loud or flashy, but it was unwavering. He resolved in his heart to worship God as a first priority, even when it cost him personally. His public faithfulness flowed from a private devotion.
My prayer is that this series will gently but clearly challenge us as a church:
What does uncommon devotion look like in our everyday lives?
Where might God be inviting us to deepen our worship—not just in song, but in surrender?
Sequoia family, let’s seek this together. Let’s draw near with confidence and worship with holy awe. Let’s become a people shaped by Uncommon Devotion.
I can’t wait to walk this journey with you.
Blessings, Ryan