2 Years of Reverent Awe!
Happy 2 years to Reverent Awe!
We can’t thank Jesus enough. When we look back at this journey, it has God’s sustaining faithfulness written all over it. As we celebrate our Reverent Awe anniversary and head into the third year of Reverent Awe, we wanted to take a moment to reflect and share what God has done these past two years. So, the three co-founders—Courtney, Jodi, and Bryan—sat down to answer a few questions about the highs, the funny behind-the-scenes moments, the challenges, and the encouragements we’ve seen along the way. We hope that as you read, you’ll be encouraged to see how God has been faithful every step of the way - and ultimately, as always, sit in more reverence and awe of Jesus. So grab your coffee and get comfortable—it’s gonna be a good one!
Question 1: If you could go back and encourage yourself on day one, what would you say?
Reverent Awe is bigger than sales. Reverent Awe is about souls who are in desperate need of knowing the true hope in Jesus Christ! If Reverent Awe was created so one person could hear the Gospel, it is worth every second of time, every sweat of work, every dollar spent, and every tear shed. This is more than a business; it is a ministry to spread the awe and fame of Jesus!
I would tell myself not to forget this is the mission—this is Matthew 28:19! And to trust that God will do His purposes through this mission field.
Remember to remain faithful and true to His Word and promises. Do not let the enemy get ahold of my thoughts and discourage me or cause me to believe the lies. Be patient, as it is all in God’s timing, not my own, and ask God what He wants me to learn through this journey and in exact moments when things are not going as we planned.
James 1:3 says, “For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”
Question 2: What has been our funniest or most memorable behind-the-scenes moment?
Easily the building out of our store at Painted Tree, although all of the many fairs we have done this past year are a close second! Painted Tree was a special time across two weeks, where we spent around 45 hours building out our store. Although it was a lot of hard work, there was so much of God’s grace and joy all over it in moments like the song “Rest on Us” coming on every single drive to Painted Tree, the revelation of using wood that our Savior gave His life up on for us, and the reward of finally finishing it.
It’s funny now, but it certainly was concerning back when we were hacked early on and lost control of our Facebook page. That was a huge challenge that hasn’t been resolved to get us back on Facebook. I use “hacked” loosely, because we actually fell victim to a phishing scheme. Next thing you know, someone is running $1,800/day ads on our Facebook account. We did lose our Facebook page, but that was about the damage done. We caught it early enough that financially there was no impact, no reputation impact—God is good! And I believe that day helped us be more diligent in our business dealings—so praise Him!
Question 3: What’s the most encouraging story we’ve heard from someone wearing Reverent Awe?
I am constantly encouraged by people and “God winks” through Reverent Awe. A story that stuck out to me was someone who wore their “But God” tee to the airport and was approached by a group of guys asking what that shirt meant to him. He was able to share his faith and fellowship with these guys from a different state! It is stories like that that remind me of the mission of Reverent Awe and that each T-shirt is an opportunity to share our faith and talk about the hope in Christ!
Hearing from fellow believers at fairs about how much they love our streetwear and accessories, and how it helps them not only as a conversation starter but also as a constant reminder of who they represent—the King of kings! That is precisely the intent: to spark conversations and to remember who we are.
Conversations of how God has changed lives at markets—transformation stories! The absolute joy that never gets old is speaking of Jesus and hearing the amazing stories of how He calls people and has transformed their hearts.
Question 4: What scripture has anchored us most during these two years?
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” - Psalm 46:10
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." - Matthew 6:33
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." - Colossians 3:23-24
These verses speak for themselves. Anchored in working as hard as we are able unto the Lord, while seeking first Jesus and His Kingdom, and ultimately resting in the unfailing, unchanging, glorious character of God. He is worthy!
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:28
“So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” - 1 John 4:16
“We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain.” - Hebrews 6:19
“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” - 1 Corinthians 15:58
Question 5: What's been your favorite design so far, and why?
I love our newest arrival, the “Power in the Name” Tee! Not only do I love the front/back look and design aesthetically, but I love Romans 8:11 that reminds us that the same power that raised Jesus from the grave lives within us! We are not waiting for Heaven to experience the fullness of His presence, because He has freely bestowed His Spirit upon us here and now. Jesus has full power and authority over death and the grave. When we live in this reality, we experience the eternal, unbeatable hope Christ died to give us!
I love “Man of Faith,” “But God,” and “Armor Up.”
“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” – 1 Corinthians 16:13
I love the statements in this brief verse, all requiring an application of faith in the Lord Jesus, while we wait for His return.
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us.” – Ephesians 2:4
This is a bridge verse that is an amazing conversation starter. As previous verses in Ephesians 2:1–3 tell us who we were—dead in our sin, in the world and of the world, living according to the passions of our flesh and headed for judgment and the wrath of God. But God, the merciful God, even in our condition of rebellion, made us alive in Christ through grace alone.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.” – Ephesians 6:10–16
Another constant reminder that we are in a daily spiritual battle—it’s a war—and we need to be ready by equipping ourselves with the tools God has given us.
"but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8
We love because God first loved us. A constant reminder of how much I am loved by the King of kings!, that He would reach down to me and provide me a way to Him!
Horatio Spafford penned “It Is Well with My Soul” after unimaginable loss, reminding us that peace isn’t found in circumstances but in Christ Himself. Isaiah 41:10 expresses that same hope:
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” - Isaiah 41:10
Even in the deepest storms, God’s presence grounds and comforts our souls.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” - 2 Corinthians 5:17
I am new in Christ—covered by the precious blood of Jesus, who went to the cross for my sins. Thank you, Jesus!
Question 6: What has been the biggest challenge of building the Reverent Awe brand together, and how has God used it to grow you?
The tension of running a business while also being a mission field for the name of Jesus Christ is difficult. We pray and seek God to use Reverent Awe in a big way for His glory, but He has grown us to trust His timing, rely on His faithfulness, and continue to boast in the name of Jesus no matter what! We have found ourselves wrestling with God in discouragement, seeking clarity and direction more than once. But God continues to remind us that it is about souls, not sales, and He is so patient to continue His good work in us. We are confident in that and confident Reverent Awe will continue to boast boldly in the name of Jesus Christ alone!