Wonder Upon Wonder
From where I stood, looking over the salt marsh near my home to see the vast night sky, the two planets nearly touched. Jupiter and Saturn, the two biggest worlds in our solar system, aligned and were closer than they had ever been in 400 years.
The display didn’t make me wonder about celestial mechanics. I was fully in the moment and filled with the wonder of a God who orchestrates the heavens.
That night I realized I need more wonder in my life. Not wondering, as in speculating and studying, and certainly not the wondering that leads to worry, but the kind of wonder that leads to more “wow” moments. I want to wonder about the mysteries of our world and delight in everyday miracles. I want to wonder in admiration and awe at all of God’s works.
There was a man who spent many days wondering, not with awe but seeking answers. He wondered why he was suffering and his anguish was amplified by his struggle to understand. He so badly wanted to comprehend the cause of his suffering, and find a way to become wise, that he ends up complaining with jumbled thoughts. He is finally told, by a young man weary of hearing his rambling opinions,
“Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God” -Job 37:14 ESV
Stop and consider the wondrous works of God. Stop the spinning and spiraling thoughts. Consider the wonder of God. Ponder God’s works and ways, and consider them wondrous, rather than demand a reason why or force wisdom. Wisdom begins with wonder.
Wisdom is a gift from God, given to those who fear God, and never forced using our own methods of discipline and determination.
The Lord answers Job and says, “Who endowed the heart with wisdom or gave understanding to the mind?” -Job 38:36 ESV
God gives wisdom and understanding to the humble who are open to walk in wonder.
Jesus gives us the gift of wonder. He set an example for wondering by rarely replying to questions with a straight answer. Instead, he responded to questions with more questions. His motive was not to dodge questions but deepen questions. He invited those who wondered, those seeking answers and assurance, to instead wonder, consider and stay curious.
Jesus did not preach as much as he told parables; he did not lecture as much as he told tales. After telling a series of stories, Jesus finished by saying;
“Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old” -Matthew 13:52 ESV
Those who wonder about God’s word and God’s ways will continually uncover more treasures of truth. The more we wonder, the more we will understand old truths and see wisdom in a new light.
If we walk in wonder, we will realize that our old ways of thinking, those perspectives that once seemed so wise, will only lead us wandering. Wonder will lead us on a journey of unlearning to make room for new understanding.
With wonder, we will slowly circle like Jupiter and Saturn and will be surprised by moments in which we are completely aligned with His wisdom and truth. But unlike the planets millions of miles apart, we will align again and again, as God promises to “again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder” (Isaiah 29:14 ESV).
Name one thing which sparks awe inside you. Exercise wonder by reflecting on what this thing teaches you about God’s nature.
Forcing wisdom results in frustration. Don’t expect a breakthrough during every bible study. Allow yourself to wonder and mediate on each word, just as it is.
Is there anything in your life that causes you worry or stress? Name what you feel and dwell on the ways you have seen God comfort and control similar situations in your life or others.
What truth do you treasure? Don’t be satisfied with one answer; train yourself to keep asking questions to dip deeper into what you believe.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Grace is a writer based in coastal Georgia. She invites readers to explore and wonder about the goodness of God and make their own faith discoveries. Her husband and cats cheer her on, swimming is her escape and cheese is her fuel.