Shop
About
Posts
Joycast
Booking
Speaking
Write Brilliant
Contact

What To Do When You've Lost Your Holy Awe

As followers of Jesus, we are meant to toss back the covers, climb out of bed, and drink in the fullness of life God intended for us. We are called to live alert to the wonders all around and within us that expand our desire to know God more.

Yet the focus on the functionality of ministry combined with the increased sense of familiarity can numb us to the marvelous work to which we’ve been called—encouraging people to walk in the fullness of all God has called and created them through Jesus Christ.

Here are a handful of things that can pull us away from living wonderstruck and experiencing the daily splendor of knowing Jesus as we lead:


1. We become absorbed by inner workings.

Every church and ministry requires systems to function. Before I became more involved in the church, I honestly believed that the worship leader selected songs on the spot and played for as long or short as they felt led by the Holy Spirit. No one told me they had precisely 17:30 minutes to perform their 4 pre-selected songs that tied into the sermon.

Most people who attend a church had no idea of what it takes behind the scenes to host weekend services. As we begin taking on more involved leadership roles at a church, our eyes opened. But the awareness of systems and processes can soon become a barrier to nurturing a sense of wonder. We can easily become more focused on the framework or tasks before us than the God who longs to reveal His glory, work, and miracles in our midst.

2. We become specialists in the church world.

As we grow in leadership, we naturally become more selective of what we read, study, and expose ourselves to. Much of this is healthy and good, but if left unchecked, we can soon become connoisseurs and even consumers within the church world. We can become more dedicated to our picks and preferences than to Christ.

The Scripture reveals Christ constantly challenging the religious leader’s comfort level, biases, and preferences. Shouldn’t we live expectant that Christ in His great love will do the same to us?

Though much work stands before us, we must keep our eyes, ears, and hearts open for the ways God wants to recapture our attention in the most splendid and unexpected ways.

3. We become distracted by sin and our fallen world.

Philippians 4:8 calls us to focus our attention on that which is true, honest, pure, admirable, virtuous, and worthy of praise. But some days in life and ministry we become distracted, our attention drawn far away.

I sometimes compare ministry and working in a church to going behind the scenes at Disney World. For most people—especially kids—Disney is a majestic world of delight and play. But those who work at Disney World have a different perspective. They don’t buy a ticket but punch a time clock. They know the inner workings. They’ve seen Mickey Mouse struggle to climb out of his suit after a long sweaty day. They’ve been behind the scenes of the Small World to discover it’s not as cute as much as it needs cleaning.

Working in ministry and church gives us a close up view of people’s sinful nature, weaknesses, and incompetency—including our own—which can hinder us from living wonderstruck.

Yet despite these challenges, we need to nurture a desire for the wonder of God in our lives. Why?

Because the wonders of God, those moments of spiritual awakening that make us long to know God more, are all around us.

As followers of Jesus, we need to help those we serve recognize them in their own lives.  When we share the tender moments of God revealing Himself in an unexpected way or doing the impossible, everyone is encouraged and inspired to continue pursuing God more. Sharing the wonder and marvel of God naturally calls us to deepen our prayer lives, to praise readily, and to worship in awe not just as individuals but as a community. When we become more aware of the marvel and magnificence of God, those who we lead will too.

Are These 3 Things Preventing You From Living in Awe of God?

That’s why I’m challenging you to share your #LIVEWONDERSTRUCK moments on Instagram during the month of July. One lucky winner will receive a copy of Wonderstruck and a $20 gift card to Starbucks.

So how do you win?

Instagram Contest

1. FOLLOW me on Instagram. Click here or search for @mafeinberg.

2. SNAP a photo of something that encourages you to #LIVEWONDERSTRUCK, how God is astounding you with His wonder, or a wonderstruck moment.

3. TAG #LIVEWONDERSTRUCK when you post so we can see! Psst… the more you post, the more opportunities you have to win!

The winner will be randomly selected and announced the first week of August.

Congratulations to the winner: Ray McKechnie

Let’s live awake and wide-eyed to the ways God wants to astound us with his wonder.

Describe a WONDERSTRUCK MOMENT you’ve experienced lately in the comments below.

*Original Photo Source

Submit your name and email below to receive your free download on how to hang on when you are at the end of your rope. 

Check your inbox for your download now.