Last week, I shared that, “If God so admires small moments, what wonder awaits us when we lean in to know Him.” And I believe that. But sometimes, we may wonder where our wonder went. And we may long to get some wonder back in our life.
The lack of necessary noticings of awe-inspiring moments may leave us unsure of who we are in the world we are in. Why do little things cease to grab us with their magnitude? Why does the sky seem cloudy, even if it’s not? Why do we feel numb? I’ve been wondering about wonder, because 2021 doesn’t let us have many of these moments. Without them, we feel like something is missing.
Over-planning spoils surprises
No longer do we simply need a single household calendar on the wall. We have such a multitude of planners to choose from that it’s hard to choose one. We have pocket planners, day planners, Bible journaling planners, and desk planners. We have Google calendars, workflow apps, collaboration tools, communication apps, and group chats with shared calendars. More control lies within our grasp. And then it gets a grip on us.
It’s easier than ever to avoid surprises. But wonder hinges on the unexpected. Awe only happens when we release some control.
Should you delete your apps, leave your groups, or toss your notebooks? I don’t know. But I know this, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.“ (Proverbs 16:9)
It takes trust to let go of my urge to over-plan. It takes 21st-century discipline to resist finding unknown pieces of information online. Exchanging curiosity for control cuts out the wonder. We can’t have total control and still expect to be wowed by unexpected things reminding us of how small we are, how magnificent life is, and how majestic the Maker of it all is.
Streaming dulls the senses
I bet there’s a study comparing how many images we see now compared to the 20th century. We see more than our minds can process.
It’s okay to look away.
The constant streaming of information and images makes it harder than ever to surprise us. Even if we don’t have first-hand experience, we’ve seen and heard most of what we were curious about.
The universe? Constellations? The Northern lights? A baby in a womb? The fluttering of a hummingbird’s wings? A bee on a flower?
Seen it. Not surprised anymore.
Science isn’t the only source. Technology puts beautiful photos, graphics, words, and sounds within the reach of all of us. We can make steam rising from a latte look miraculous and then post it on Instagram, Facebook, or any other media stream. Can anyone make a miracle?
Instead of just tweaking images of life as if we are the creator, our Maker invites us to live in an attitude of wanting to wonder. Jeremiah 33:3 tells us God’s heart is to show us “great and hidden things that you have not known.” Do you crave coming face to face with “great and hidden things?”
All that distraction can be damaging
When the stream becomes a heavy flow, silt stirs into a murky flow. Appreciation or admiration may turn foul into comparison, judgment, or insecurity. So much can be too much.
Making room for moments of wonder in our hearts and lives holds space for God to breathe reminders of who He is and who we are to Him. His ways and character remain awe-inspiring. I want to leave open places for our Creator to “wow” me with what He’s done and still does. He keeps us in perfect peace when we set our mind our what He wants to show us. (Isaiah 26:3)
This doesn’t mean isolation is the way back to life with wonder. But it may take greater awareness about how much we absorb if we’re to get some wonder back. After all, who wants to binge on chocolate and ruin it for life? Instead, thoughtful pacing helps preserve the taste.
What else I wonder
I wonder something else. I wonder how many moments God set up for me to see or experience and I missed it? Maybe it wasn’t in my planner or scheduled with a reminder. Or I had just seen so many versions from human hands that I thought I already knew the real thing? Or I compared what was in my holiday to what’s in your holiday as it appears in pictures. I wonder how much wonder I’ve missed.
I don’t want to miss more. You?
5 Steps to Get Some Wonder Back
- Take a look at how many “control tools” I use or depend on. Simplify. Trust more. Leave room for some surprise.
- Choose to view fewer second-hand versions of real life. Think twice before adding my own second-hand creations to the stream.
- Ask God to show me where I’m comparing and then step away from the temptation. Share with an accountability partner for help.
- Tell God I could use a little more wonder (He already knows …). Ask Him to surprise me and to help me pay attention when He puts great and hidden things before me.
- Call out moments of wonder by telling someone, including God, how awe-inspiring life is.
