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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 green flash

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

Click here to register. 

Now I want to hear from you.. what did you see during the eclipse that left you wonderstruck? 

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