What Have You Surveyed Lately?

Here are two thought-provoking quotes from a new book called “Indescribable” by Louie Giglio and Matt Redman.

"The wonders of the starry host are not merely a masterpiece. They are a message." and "God makes worshippers out of wonderers.”

Think about them for a moment or two and then ask yourself this.

How often do we use the word “wonderful” in our daily lives?  I know for a fact that it’s a common part of my daily vocabulary.  And after soaking in the two quotes above, I’m easily convinced of its overuse.  Even the most basic greeting between mild acquaintances (Q: How are you? A: “Just wonderful.”) now seems disingenuous and dramatic.  I mean seriously.  Are you honestly full of wonder at this very moment?

There are times in our lives when we are awestruck at the wonder of it all.  But we’re more likely to be found caught up in the minutiae of our routine and our worries, our work and our earthly trappings, than to be genuinely doubled over by the full force of a blast of God’s wonder and grace.  An extended period of too many days without that true sense of wonder leaves us disconnected and out of touch with our fellow elements of Creation.  You will surely recognize a real dose of His wonder as it will require days of recovery and recuperation on the part of the receiver.

Creation can be a great conductor of this sense of wonder.  The grandeur of the mountains.  The vastness of the skies.  The boundless diversity of life.  The power of the oceans.  The intricacy of the weather.  The miracle of birth.  The excitement of a new discovery.  The helplessness of being so very small.  And the magnificence of being loved so much in the midst of our insignificance.

God’s world, the one he breathed and built for us, is overflowing with wonders in every direction.  And each of those wonders, big and small, obvious and hidden, cries out to us with a message that too often goes unheard.  And that’s our fault, not God’s, because we are the ones who are broken.  Drowning in our pride and independence, we complain and whine and fill ourselves with woe, failing to appreciate all He’s done for us.  He has given us a sacrifice like no other, beginning and ending with the cross of Jesus Christ, a wondrous shape that pervades our existence from the furthest galaxies to the depths of our very cell structure.  Thank God there is no escape from it.  But unfortunately there remains plenty of apathy toward it.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this life is short.  In order to enjoy it at maximum effect, use your child-like senses daily to be humbled by His love for all of us.  Wonder at His creativity.  Survey your surroundings.  Take the time to understand it in all its glory and then praise Him.  Rejoice in the knowledge that He offers rest for the weary, peace for the troubled, forgiveness for the sinner, and an eternal sanctuary for the faithful.  Wonder at His works often and aloud to those around you.  Then open yourself to an offering of worship that, like His love, was meant to be both filled with wonder and to be wonderful!