As passionate followers of Christ committed to serving others, we must be intentional about nurturing a sense of wonder in our lives and discovering God as “Wonderful” each and every day. That’s why I couldn’t be more thrilled that to be part of Catalyst whose theme is Awaken to Wonder.
The Gospels ground us in the truth that those who encountered Jesus were left in wild amazement. Those who encountered Christ were awestruck by His teachings, healings, and mind-bending miracles.
Words like “awe,” “wonder,” and “marvel” followed Him almost everywhere He went (particularly in the Gospel of Luke).
If you’ve misplaced your sense of marvel somewhere along the way, or perhaps you just want to nurture an even greater sense of awe, here are four ways to begin living wonderstruck as a leader:
1. Explore the wonder of creation.
Sometimes we lose sight of the magnificence of God as Creator—the one who fashioned and holds all things together. To reignite your imagination and appreciation of the wonders of God that dot the solar system and mark the microscopic cells, take a half hour and google “astonishing photos” and something found in creation. Some of my favorites are “astonishing photos of waves” or “astonishing photos of spider webs” or “astonishing photos of clouds.”
Prepare to be astounded as you drink in images of God’s creation, His intricate involvement, His startling choice of colors, His wild creativity. Take time to thank God for all He has made and reflect on what God’s creation reveals about the Creator.
2. Crash the party in the kid’s Sunday school.
Consider the last time you looked at the world through the life of someone under the age of 10. If you have children, it may have been this morning!
But the lens is different when you get to take off your parenting hat and see the world from the perspective of someone else’s child. This Sunday, if you’re not already involved in kid’s ministry, slip out of the service in order to offer your services as a volunteer. Ask the kids questions about what they see, hear, like, and dislike.
Kids have an amazing ability to find joy and celebrate the tiniest discoveries and live in constant amazement of our world. Pray that God will allow some of the childlike wonder to rub off on you.
3. Read a writer or theologian that ignites your faith.
Sometimes as leaders we find ourselves reading and listening to the same familiar voices. The teaching may provide what we feel we need, but somewhere along the way the writing and text can become predictable and we don’t even realize that it’s happening.
To reignite the wonder of Scripture, pick up a writer or theologian who uses unexpected imagery or unpacks Biblical passages in a thought-provoking way. Allow Madeleine L’Engle to stir your holy imagination. Invite Barbara Brown Taylor to challenge the way you think about a sermon or teaching. Reflect on G.K. Chesterton to reignite the feistiness and merriment of your faith. Reach for the unfamiliar theologian—who though you may not always agree—stirs your hunger for God’s Word and reignites the wonder of Scripture.
4. Listen to someone’s story.
Sometimes serving and working in a church or non-profit can become so task oriented that we miss the people right in front of us. We forget that we are surrounded by men and women whose lives have been transformed forever by a living God.
The wonder is all around us but we need to drink in the fullness simply because we don’t pause to listen to the living testimonies of grace. Just a few doors down from your office, just right across the aisle between the pews, just right next to you in the church choir is a story waiting to be shared that will take your breath away. God’s goodness, faithfulness, and love are waiting to be discovered anew. Don’t wait another day.
5. Dive into the wonder for 7 weeks this summer.
How about join us for the Wonderstruck Online Summer Bible Study at MargaretFeinberg.com?
This summer, I’m challenging you to drink in the wonder of God through the Wonderstruck 7-Session DVD Bible Study. Join our Summer Bible Study beginning on June 6th.
Through seven sessions filmed in the Canadian Rockies including Lake Louise, let’s explore the wonders of God as found in the Scripture. Together, our eyes will be opened to the wonder of God’s presence, the wonder of friendship, the wonder of forgiveness, and so much more.
Invite your neighbors, co-workers, small group, Sunday school class, long-distance BFF, and more to walk alongside you, pray for you, and fall more in love with God’s Word together.
To join us for the Wonderstruck Summer Bible Study, you’ll need the following:
• A copy of Bible in your favorite translation (or simply the app on your phone)
• The Summer Bible Study Special: The Wonderstruck 7-Session DVD Kit PLUS a FREE copy of Live Loved: An Adult Coloring Book (click here to purchase).
• A expectant heart to the ways God wants to reveal Himself to you this summer
• Between 15-20 minutes of time carved out each day to dive into God’s Word and the workbook homework
• Subscribe to the free RSS feed at MargaretFeinberg.com so you don’t miss a beat.
As you dip into the five nights of homework each week (20 minutes or less each day), you’ll find out just how much God is busting at the seams to display His power, glory, and might in your life. Grab a friend, some compadres in a book club, a small group cohort, and let’s unwrap the wonder of God together.
Pick up your Wonderstruck DVD Kit + Live Loved: Adult Coloring Book today and begin asking God to prepare your heart for what’s in store this summer.
We’ll be gathering together each week here at MargaretFeinberg.com starting June 6th to discuss, pray for one another, and dive into God’s Word.
Can’t afford the DVDs just yet? Grab the Wonderstruck book and workbook combination and join us! Don’t miss the summer that will change your walk with God forever.
You don’t have to wait another day to begin reigniting the wonder of God in your life.
