Temperature plummeted. Darkness descended. Jaws dropped.
Yesterday we stood in holy awe of a heavenly display rapt by celestial power and beauty.
A black fireball compelled strangers to erupt in wild applause at the Idaho Falls airport and around the nation.
Whether you watched from behind awkward eclipse glasses or a television screen, the shifting shadows awoke our hearts to divine wonder in 100- to 200- second blast of beauty.
What if you could allow the sense of wonder you felt to come alive in you every day?
Yesterday I watched countless wonders, and the most stunning weren’t in the atmosphere.
My husband Leif and I used airline miles to fly to Idaho Falls, Idaho, to watch totality at the airport. Leif ended up on a later flight. The flight attendant felt annoyed by the “overhype” of the event, but when Leif offered to loan her glasses to watch out the window, she softened.
Within a few minutes, the generosity spread.
Half of the 30 people on the flight carried eclipse glasses. Soon everyone shared and passed the eye shades back and forth. The pilot circled a loop so those sitting on both sides of the plane could admire the unfolding beauty. Everyone landed with a sense of joyous awe.
Wonderstruck by the power of kindness and generosity
As the eclipse progressed our shadows wobbled and distorted in the light. The crescent shadows of leaves dotted the earth.
In a pinch of time, we were reminded of the One who hangs the stars and spins the planets.
Wonderstruck by beauty and splendor
Meanwhile strangers from around the world lined up outside the Idaho Falls airport. A young couple shared cashews, I offered fresh cherries, sunscreen passed among people who had never met. When totality arrived, everyone—including airport employees—began whooping and hollering and applauding at the dark beauty.
Wonderstruck by the joy and celebration
What if the awe and marvel you felt yesterday is meant to extend beyond August 21, 2017 into today, tomorrow and every day?
The wonder of God’s creation continues to unfold. They await in…
the nearest National Park to your home…
the cascading waterfall…
the alpenglow of the mountains…
the moon tides…
the sun perks and splashes during dawn and dusk…
the snowflakes and rainbows and artsy clouds…
The wonder of kindness and generosity continues to unfold. They await in…
your readiness to share what you’ve been given…
your willingness to engage a stranger…
your heart to reach out to someone different from you…
your courage to speak up for the defenseless…
your offering of a snack to someone sitting next to you…
The wonder of joy and celebration continues to unfold. They await in…
the time you start the applause with your two palms…
the whoop and holler that release joy into the atmosphere…
the moment you catch someone doing something well and say something…
the gift you wrap to say thank you…
the gathering you host in a park or your back yard…
the candle you press into a cake for someone unsuspecting…
The great gift of the eclipse is the moon and sun passing primed our hearts to live in wonder and awe of God every day.
We are meant to live on high alert for God’s presence and faithfulness and power and might.
When we gather as believers…
When we utter syllables of prayer…
When we flip open the Bible…
When we respond to a sacred echo…
When we give what costs us…
When we give voice to those who have no voice…
When we answer the call to live like Jesus lived…
The wonder of the eclipse still burns bright in my heart…
God pitched the tent of His presence with us in the middle of our darkness to bring us great light.
My hope and prayer is through the upcoming days and months, you will continue to live wonderstruck.
If you’re looking for a fall Bible study, you may enjoy the 6-session DVD Wonderstruck: Awaken to the Nearness of God.
To watch a preview, click here.
And if you’re leading a ministry or Bible study this fall, we’re hosting a special webinar on Thursday, August 24 at 11am EST with Heather Zempel for you:
5 Best Practices + 7 Pitfalls to Avoid for Your Fall Bible Study or Small Group
Now I want to hear from you.. what did you see during the eclipse that left you wonderstruck?
Love what you say. You have a gift of expression and paint pictures with your words. God is seen through you as you share your joys, tears, laughter, and just plain fun! I enjoy your Bible studies! I feel I know you! God Bless, In Christ, Kathy Schmidt
Amen. I am at awe of her gift and feel so blessed to have shared so many of her studies with others. Her sacred Echo changed my life. I see Gods echos everywhere and hear His voice much clearer as I now listen for it
This is my favorite statement: We are meant to live on high alert for God’s presence and faithfulness and power and might.
That was mine favorite statement too, Joyce!
You all are too kind! May you be blessed with seeing the wonder of God all around you! Hugs!
One thing that caught our attention was how much of the sun can be obscured and it really not be all that noticeable. I think it just struck us as an amazing example of the power of that great fiery sphere. How much light it provides until that moment when it was completely covered. And then total darkness. It’s amazing to think that I am in a relationship with the creator of that whole event. He placed them in their courses with definite patterns already declared, and he did it with his voice. Amazing!
May you continually be reminded of His greatness and respond in awe! Blessings!
and the eclipse reminded me of the darkness that overcame the earth when Jesus gave up His last breath on earth! I was praying through the morning yesterday that someone, some soul in this nation will respond and surrender to the majesty of our God!
Beautiful prayer, Felicia!
While I was doing some research on the computer, I found a prayer that Jewish people pray when they watch an eclipse: “Blessed are you, Adonai, Creator of the heavenly lights.” So many people believe that the sun, moon, and stars were created by accident, a big bang. We know better — Christians and Jews truly believe that God created the heavenly lights. So as I watched, I prayed that prayer. It made my experience very meaningful.
That is wonderful! Lalalove it!
For some reason my mind went to the End Times. I thought about the times when the heavens will be darkened. Will there be shouts of joy then? And I prayed.
I also wondered how many were worshipping the creation instead of the Creator. And I prayed.
Your sensitivity is wonderful, Deb! Hugs!
My husband & I drove from the Texas Gulf Coast to a small town just north of Nashville. At the moment of totality, all eyes around us were faced to the heavens. The wind stopped blowing. Absolutely no traffic was on the state highway near us. Store clerks and road workers stopped and all stared heavenward. If any one spoke, it was with awe in a whisper.
It was an absolutely beautiful moment shared by a hundred strangers.
Beautiful!
For a moment only a ring around the moon and a peek of light on one side created what astronomers call a diamond ring. The wonder of Jesus giving us a diamond ring to those he loves and adores. God the Jeweler of the Universe holds us in the palm of his hand and speaks to us through majestic events. Thanks for sharing your wonders with us. Hugs.
Amazing correlation between the Bridegroom and the Bride!
Hi, Margaret. I am a new reader of your blog. The words “light” and “glory” went through my mind, which describe Jesus. Creation is amazing and God is the artist who planned it! Scientists were eagerly watching to learn more about what makes the sun tick, because we cannot get near to it, and I thought of how God “dwells in unapproachable light.” It made me think of Jesus’ return, when “every eye shall see him”– Jesus told us to watch! I thought it amazing that ordinary life paused for a few hours while we all looked up. Even those who did not give God recognition were awed by what they saw. He is tapping us on the shoulder, inviting us to come and see!
Our God is an amazing & awe-inspiring Creator!
I love that you can put into words exactly what I feel and felt and experienced that day. When I stood with thousands others and watched the totality, many cheered not realizing that they just witnessed the hand of God. It gave rise to a thought that as we gathered to watch the sun be covered by the moon and(many worshipped that event), we will all fall to our knees when the SON truly arrives, some giving a hearty cheer of praise!. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it!
Your words have brought JOY to my soul! May we look in wonder toward His return!
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