Restoring the Wonder

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“Christians should be the most wonder-filled people in the world,” says writer Matthew Woodley. God created us to wonder. Wonder is an emotion aroused primarily by being in amazement. Wonder used as a verb is to notice, to marvel, and to be amazed. For some, the opposite may be our tendency. We are in a time crunch; we feel pressured to accomplish all that is on our plate, resulting in depression, sadness, exhaustion, or mood swings. The problem may be that we have forgotten how to wonder. Toddlers have an uncanny sense of marveling over even the smallest creature in creation. Once my two-year-old Ben held out a roly-poly bug in his chubby little hand. “Look, Mommy!” he said, as if he’d found buried treasure.

Even in the tightest schedule, when wonder is a part of our spiritual process, tension decreases, patience increases, peace and tranquility replaces the tyranny of the urgent. A wonder break is like breathing in spiritual fresh air; it’s a choice to ponder the greatness of God, to consider the handicrafts of the Creator. Take a second glance at the plant in your office as you are watering it. When held up in traffic, roll down your window and revel in the creation. Hug a toddler and find out what they are wondering about.

The children of Israel forgot how to wonder. Because they lost perspective, going back to slavery in Egypt seemed like a good idea. Nehemiah 9:17 records the consequences, “And they refused to listen and did not remember Thy wondrous deeds which Thou hast performed among them. So they became stubborn and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But Thou art a God of forgiveness, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness, Thou didst not forsake them.” Without regular times of praise and contemplation about our redemption, we forget the One who delivered us. If we don’t recall the ways He has worked, we forget His power and provision. How has God answered prayer lately? Journal entries can help us remember Gods’ ways of answering our prayers and providing for our every need. “He has made His wonders to be remembered,” reminds Psalm 11: 4. If you don’t wonder, you will wander.

Moses gazed across the hillside as he moved the herd toward Mt. Horeb. Surveying his flocks for strays or injury was his custom. In the normal routine of his day, Moses saw something very out of the ordinary. Moses turned; he knew this sight was worthy of more than just a passing glance. An orange glow, burning brightly, seemed strangely wonderful. Exodus 3:2 says, “Moses thought, ‘I will go over and see this marvelous sight—why the bush does not burn up.’” Getting a closer look, Moses was in awe, amazed at the sight of the burning bush. Moses marveled with wonder.

Moses stood in front of the burning bush. It glowed brightly and crackled loudly. Moses was speechless; God had gotten his full attention. And then God spoke to Moses. God may not use something as unusual as a burning bush to get your attention. Give God your attention and your worship through wonder before He has to set a bush on fire.

I Chronicles 16:8 says, “O give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the peoples sing to Him, sing praises to Him, speak of all His wonders. Remember His wonderful deeds, which He has done, His marvels and the judgments from His mouth.”

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