“He has not left Himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; He provides you with plenty of food and fills your heart with joy.” (Acts 14:16 NIV)
Our God gives good gifts. They are all around us, so prolific that we often forget to take note. As I type, the sunlight is spilling across the earth, chasing the night away. The browning leaves are laughing in the trees, tickled by the gentle breeze. The frost made art on every grass blade and window pane and now it melts away. Most of the time, we don’t even notice.
We live in a time where we buy what we need. Much of modern America is entirely disconnected from the rhythm of rain and crops and seasons, but the truth of it remains. We may get our food neatly packaged from the chain grocer with little thought as to its source, but God waters. Grows. Nurtures. Gives reason for us to delight.
The more we build, the more we gather, accrue and hoard, the less we pay attention to His wonders.
“We are perishing for a lack of wonder, not for lack of wonders.”
(GK Chesterton)
wonder: a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar or inexplicable.
Wonder is the opposite of cynicism.
Wonder might be the most powerful position we take in the wake of 2020.
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20 NIV)
Lord, forgive us for our lack of wonder. You have laid out creation as evidence of Your power, majesty and LOVE for us. Open our eyes today. May we notice and rejoice in Your good work. Surprise us with admiration. Take our breath away as we realize Your awesome nature on display for all to see. Fill us up with wonder as we approach the new year. Amen.