Overwhelmed by wonder
Overwhelmed by Wonder
Wonder probably isn’t a word you use a lot in everyday life and defining it can feel a bit wooly. I find it easier to consider an example where I’ve seen it - like a toddler in the park stopping to gaze at the insects, flowers, leaves and trees that I take for granted.
As we grow up we seem to lose that sense of wonder at the world around us - it becomes over-familiar, or we find out that things we once thought of as magical have a rather boring and sensible explanation behind them, like sunsets simply being light split through air pollution. We can start to see all the broken and ugly things pushing right up against the beautiful and feel overwhelmed by problems instead of wonder. Sometimes we just get too busy rushing through life and getting things done to “stop and smell the roses”. But usually we recognise we need wonder experiences and we start to live for the weekend or the holiday where we can (when there isn’t a global pandemic) travel to further and further flung beauty spots to fill our wonder-lust.
Studies are starting to show that spending intentional time in nature is good for our mental health - it reduces stress and anxiety and improves our sense of wellbeing. This isn’t a coincidence - it’s getting back to our original design and God’s plan. He created a beautiful garden in a perfect world for us and Him to live in together. We catch a glimpse of that when we are soothed by wonder.
If we go back to our toddler in the park, their wonder often prompts them to engage with their world and experience it; they naturally share that with those around them. Jesus taught his disciples to be like little children for they are near to the Kingdom of God. Maybe this is about more than just having child-like faith - maybe there are other attitudes we can learn from as adults…like wonder.
Allowing ourselves to wonder at creation reminds us of the goodness and greatness of God which leads us into worship. Worship is what transforms us unlocking gratitude, joy, hope, faith and we naturally want to share this with those around us.
But we need to learn to slow down and be present and free from distraction to cultivate this habit. I used to rush through the morning school run so I could get on with the tasks of the day but slowing down and following my children’s lead in noticing and encountering the world around us led me into an almost daily prayer walk and re-ignited dreams for where I live.
In the video I didn’t have time to unpack the link between wonder, play and imagination. Wonder isn’t about believing in what you see - it’s the starting point for believing nothing is impossible with God.
Ultimately this is what being overwhelmed with wonder is about - the wonder of the gospel that God created an amazing world for us to share with Him and it’s the wonder of the cross where Jesus died to bring about healing the brokenness in us and all the world - God’s greatest dream for the world.
Questions
Have you ever experienced a sense of wonder that bought you into an encounter with God?
What daily/weekly/monthly practices do you need to cultivate wonder in your life? Is there anything you need to stop or reduce to make space for wonder in your day?
