Just like looking for wonders in your daily life, when you regularly commune with God and look for His miracles, you will see them surrounding you all the time.
Wonder is defined by dictionary.com as “to be filled with admiration, amazement, or awe; marvel” while awe is defined as “an overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration, fear, etc., produced by that which is grand, sublime, extremely powerful, or the like.” The words “wonderful” and “awesome” are used to describe those things that make us feel wonder and awe. Experiencing those moments brings happiness and causes us to really focus on the moment and let go of any stress we might be holding on to. The Bible is full of wonders. Let’s live lives that fully embrace wonder, in all different kinds of situations.
Wonder in Special Events
Special events are the most common times when we experience wonder. These are the times when you stand at the edge of the sea, watch your child sing in the school musical, vacation to the Grand Canyon, hold your baby for the first time, or catch your breath at a work of art. These are the times when we are awed by beauty and creation and inspiration. They are powerful and moving. These moments don’t happen regularly, but they stay with us. We don’t have to try to be amazed in these special circumstances; it just happens. We can consider these moments of wonder to be glimpses of heaven and blessings from God.
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse” (Romans 1:20, NIV).
Wonder in Daily Life
For most of us, the ability to experience wonder in daily life is an area where we could improve. Our schedules are full, our bank accounts are stretched, and we still haven’t done the dishes. What is there to marvel at? But then there is that beautiful sunset, that great conversation with a friend, that delicious meal. Perhaps we stop to think about the wonders of dishwashers for all those dirty dishes, electricity, and clean water running through our pipes. These moments happen daily, which makes them easy to overlook. Daily wonders are not as emotionally moving as the wonders that occur in special events, but when we make an effort to experience wonder in our daily lives, we begin to see how many miracles occur around us every day. Paying attention to the wonders surrounding us expands our gratitude and joy and gives us a glimpse of how good God really is.
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world” (Psalm 19:1-4, NIV).
“The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy” (Psalm 65:8, NIV).
Wonder with God
Our God is wonderful and wants to share that wonder with us. He has performed wonders since the beginning and continues to now. Seek out the Lord and experience His wonders in your life! Just like looking for wonders in your daily life, when you regularly commune with God and look for His miracles, you will see them surrounding you all the time.
“He is the one you praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes” (Deuteronomy 10:21, NIV).
“He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted” (Job 5:9, NIV).
“Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder;” (Isaiah 29:14, NIV).
“How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation” (Daniel 4:3, NIV).
“As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him” (Mark 9:15, NIV).
“God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will” (Hebrews 2:4, NIV).
Wonder in Trials
Looking for good when times are hard is not an easy task, but the Bible is full of moments of wonder in the midst of trials. Pray that the Lord opens your eyes to all of the wonders He is working even in our sufferings.
“So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders that I will perform among them. After that, he will let you go” (Exodus 3:20, NIV).
“Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders. Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes His lightning flash? Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge?” (Job 37:14-16, NIV).
“With your own eyes you saw those great trials, those signs and great wonders” (Deuteronomy 29:3, NIV).
“Praise be to the Lord, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege” (Psalm 31:21, NIV).
“He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions” (Daniel 6:27, NIV).
“‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you’” (Acts 13:41, NIV).
Praise for His Wonders
As we continue to increase our recognition of all of the amazing things in our lives, we should praise the Lord for the wonders He shows us. And we can ask the Lord, who gives us more than we could ever ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20), for more of His wonders!
“Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare” (Psalm 40:5, NIV).
“The heavens praise your wonders, Lord, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones” (Psalm 89:5, NIV).
“Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes” (Psalm 17:7, NIV).
“You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed” (Joel 2:26, NIV).
Share His Wonders with Others
Finally, as we praise the Lord for His wonders, let us also share them with others!
“We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done” (Psalm 78:4, NIV).
“Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced” (Psalm 105:5, NIV).
“He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate” (Psalm 111:4, NIV).
“Remember the wonders He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He pronounced” (1 Chronicles 16:12, NIV).
“It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me” (Daniel 4:2, NIV).
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Bobby Stevenson
Megan Moore is a military spouse and mom of 3 (through birth and adoption). A speech-language pathologist by training, she now spends her time moving around the country every couple of years. She is passionate about special needs, adoption, and ice cream.
