Fascination and Wonder

Let's talk about two words that keep flying around my head like a relentless gnat: fascination and wonder.

fas·ci·na·tion: 

draw irresistibly the attention and interest of (someone)

won·der: 

a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable

When is the last time you experienced these two words when it came to your relationship with God, with the Bible, with His church? When were you drawn to God in an irresistible way and had a feeling of surprise? Can I be vulnerable and transparent with you? I don't know the last time I was even in the neighborhood of being fascinated by or in wonder of God. I've been fascinated and awed by Netflix and Hulu shows lately. But God, not recently. Because I've bought into a lie. Maybe you have, too, and here is the lie, I've heard it all before and (spoiler) the flood still comes, King David still has an affair, and Jesus still walks on water. If it is a movie, it is one most of us have seen a hundred times and can sing along to without even realizing it. We already know Simba's dad dies, Darth Vadar is Luke's father, and there is nothing fascinating or wonderful about it.

The loss of fascination and wonder isn't something that happens overnight, but gradually over time. The "why" behind it all gets lost, and without the "why" it is easy to get off course. When you boil it down, it is all about a relationship with God. A relationship that requires the death of the arrogant belief that there is nothing new to discover. A relationship that requires bravery. A relationship that requires honesty. 

However, I frequently turn it from a relationship into a weird jumbled mess of "dos" and "don'ts" that culminate with crushing guilt because you can't keep the checklist you created. 

Thankfully, there is good news, and in spite of everything we have done and continue to do, God is giving us undeserved, unearned, and unearnable grace. Why? He wants to be in a relationship with you and me. 

Today I hope you'll carve out maybe 10 or 15 minutes to pause and approach the Bible humbly and ask God to restore your fascination and wonder with Him. Need help getting started? Check out Christine's article by click here: Stop Making Bible Reading A New Year's Resolution.