From the top of K2 (the world’s 2nd highest mountain), Everest isn’t all that impressive.
It’s only when you see it in the context of its height above sea level that you are suddenly hit by the magnificence and grandeur of this mountain of mountains.

So it is with us and God. Seeing God from atop our ego and pride, God isn’t that great.
Seeing God from the depths of our murky and total depravity, suddenly the greatness of God becomes too much for our darkness-sensitised eyes to look upon, and we are immediately all too aware of his grandeur, majesty and glory, and it is the most complete definition of the word ‘awesome’.