In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1
What creates a sense of wonder in your life now? Do you ever ponder what was before what is now, and how we all got to where we are here? Do you ever wonder how God created everything and what that was like? Or have you become fairly calloused inattentive toward new and wondrous things in your life? I am a mix of both. Some days I feel I am just going through the motions of the things I have to do with little care about who crosses my path and what potential there is, but just want to get through things. Other days, I am in awe of the wonders of creation and how things work. Most days I am in awe of how our little 1 year old girl learns to do so many things for the first time, how her attitude changes on a weekly basis, and what things make her laugh. I used to have that attitude with new things in my life, but I quickly become distracted and forget how to live like that. How do we live with a fuller appreciation for the all the things we are blessed with in life?
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17
There is a tune that is typically sung as a Christmas carol and starts out ‘I wonder as I wander’, and I ask myself that same thing. How often do I consider the wondrous things in this world that can only be attributed to God? Can I even grasp part of them? The rest of the verse goes this way:
I wonder as I wander out under the sky
How Jesus my Saviour did come for to die
For poor on’ry people like you and like I
I wonder as I wander out under the sky
What brings you to a greater appreciation of what God has done for you? When we consider our sin and our depravity and worthlessness in that, and then consider how God sees you through the blood of Christ, we start to get a picture of the great potential, work, and love He is capable of demonstrating. When we consider the Christmas Story and how all those things came together to bring a sense of awe to us still today, we sing, we celebrate, we gather around friends and family and show them love. Do you still wonder how God can still love us today as He did 2000 years ago?
The mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:26-27
If you are calloused with gift giving, with singing carols, and decorating your home. If you are cynical and say ‘I wonder how this will go’, half hoping or expecting trouble around the corner. Ask God to reveal new things to you about the wonder of his Son, and His birth into this world. Ask Him to show you the details about how thing have come to pass and how they are working to bring about His will, whether we can see it now, or not. Ask Him to open up the Word to you in ways you have not seen before. Ask expectantly and see what He shows you about the truth He brings into the world. Ask, and be brought back to a place of wonder, joy and appreciation of this life and so much more!
Yours in Christ,
Clark
