I’ve always thought that we are called to live in reverend awe of God. Hence when I learned that Margaret Feinberg‘s new book is called Wonderstruck I knew right away I wanted to read it. So I am more than delighted to be part of her partymob team for Wonderstruck. I’ve been reading the sneak preview of the book and I will be sharing the best parts with you on Fridays. If you are eager to learn how to live in reverend wonder, stay tuned!

Being wonderstruck by God is what God wants for us. Margaret writes, “God delights for us to cup our hands in prayer and scrunch our faces against the vault of heaven in holy expectation that he will meet us in beautiful, mysterious ways. The Creator desires to captivate us not just with his handiwork but with himself—displaying facets of his character, igniting us with his fiery love, awakening us to the intensity of his holiness.”

God is amazing but even more amazing is that he wants to interact with us. Just too often we get too busy with the demands of life and we forget what it means to live our faith out loud. Like Margaret points out, we become spiritual sleepyheads: “God extends endless invitations to encounter him, yet too often we sleep straight through. Unconscious of the life God wants for us, we slumber in the presence of the sacred and snore in the company of the divine. We remain asleep while God roosts in our midst. Inactive and inert, we become spiritual sleepyheads who clamor for the snooze button rather than climb out of bed. In our dormant states, we miss the opportunities to experience his many gifts and to know the Giver more fully.”

This happens to all of us if we don’t pay attention. We come up with different excuses why we don’t read the Bible or pray. We go through religious motions but we are not truly worshiping God anymore. We know longer are eager to be with God, learn from him. Like Margaret shared of her own experience, “The sense of holy awe was replaced by unholy indifference. Hope diminished to a manageable emotion. Love became a fleeting expression in short supply.”

The Apostle Paul also knew this, he had made a decision to stay alert and not to get caught napping: I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself. (1 Cor. 9: 26-27, MSG)

Because if we don’t pay attention, we will live our lives unconscious of the life God wants for us. We will sleepwalk through life without noticing God’s actions all around us.

But we don’t have to live our lives half dead. Because of Christ we can approach God in prayer. We have a choice to be made alive by grace through faith and empowered by the Holy Spirit. It’s time to pray and awaken to wonder of God.

“Often when God answers a prayer for wonder, the tone and tenacity with which we live our lives changes. Holiness beckons. Divine expectation flourishes. Hope returns. Love abounds. In response, we awaken, toss back the covers, climb out of bed, and drink in the fullness of life God intended for us. We live alert to the wonders all around us and within us that expand our desire to know God more.”

This is what it means to be really alive.
This is what it means to be fully alert.
This is what is means to be wonderstruck.

 

Gracious God,
Forgive us for falling asleep in your presence!
Forgive us for forgetting what it means to be fully alive!
We pray for wonder, Lord.
We pray for amazement.
We pray for your marvelous presence in our lives.
Pour out grace upon grace!
Let us taste, see, smell, touch, hear you better.
Show us what it really means to be wonderstruck.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: Have you been spiritually asleep? How did God wake you up?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you stay alert for God’s wonders!

Image courtesy of Margaret Feinberg. Linking up today with Thought-Provoking Thursday and Faith-Filled Friday.