Do You Ever Wonder...?

Do you take time to wonder?

Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.” John 4:48

The above verse was written about a time when Jesus was urgently implored to come and heal a man's son who was dying. Jesus commented about the faith of people, in order to believe they had to see signs and wonders. They couldn't just believe in who Jesus was, they had to see who Jesus was through His works. Once they saw what Jesus can and has done, their faith increased. God knew we humans, with our limited minds, would need to have constant reminders of His eternal power and love for us. Therefore, He created the beauty we see around us daily. Romans 1:19-21 states that very idea,
19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Sadly, as time goes on people aren't taking the time to recognize the beauty around them. Many have lost their wonder, and miss out on God's wonders! Do you ever wonder? Do the deep reds, brilliant oranges, mixing with purples and blues in a sunset still take your breath away? What about the leaves in autumn, as they gently float to through the air before landing on the ground, do you watch? Or, do you anticipate raking them up to get them out of your way?  What about the first snow fall as it blankets the earth, hushing every sound and glistening  on the trees? Do you get out and see, or do you shut yourself inside, turning up the heat while attempting to keep the cold world out?

How often do you look at the world around you in awe and wonder? In the Spring are you surprised by the vibrant colors you're sure you haven't noticed before, coming from new buds, and leaves on bushes and trees? Do you notice the nests, or do you not look up that high? In the summer do you soak up some rays, feeling the warmth of the "Son"? Do you watch the grass dance and sway as the invisible breese move across the Earth? Do you feel small in a thunderstorm while excited by the power in the light show? What about the Grace in the rainbow? Even though science seems to explain the mystery of the ever changing seasons, God's beauty and wonder haven't left, many just quit looking for it.

We get so caught up in ourselves, the plans for our future, the things we're trying to obtain, politics of the world, or just getting to the next page in our book of life. Our foolish hearts become darkened to the light and wonders of God. So dark that some miss Him all together and never even read the words on the page. It's been thumbed through so fast, they never got it.

 If we're not careful the story will be over before we know it, and we will have missed all the little hidden details God added to our life to make it more enjoyable, or even salvageable. Details hidden, in hopes we would take the time to slow down, look for them, while finding Him in the middle of it all. Our God is The Creator, and in His creativeness, He wants us, His children, to explore and find wonder, excitement, peace and happiness. When we find happiness in His creation, He is happy because He created it for us!

Our world can be and is at times a scary place full of uncertainty. However, birds go on singing, the seasons still change, there is a new sunset and sunrise daily. God, from the beginning of creation has been trying to get our attention focused on Him. When our attention is on God The Creator, the worries in life don't seem as big.

My Amazing Man (as I call my husband) and I are always taking time to step out and seek the wonders God has for us. We have an awful lot on our plate and just physically getting out and seeking Him, makes all the difference in our week. After church, we get in the car, pray, ask God to show us some cool stuff, and He does. We don't have a lot of money so we just drive to no place in particular. Every picture I use in my blog posts are from an adventure we've had, seeking God's wonders.

Science may have explained away a lot of things man used to wonder about, but just because I know how and why a rainbow exists, there is still wonder and beauty in it. And Grace, don't forget the Grace. God chose to use that rainbow as a symbol of His Grace. He could have chosen to destroy the Earth and save nothing or no one. Just because we know how it works doesn't make it any less beautiful. Just because I know how snow is formed, the wonder and beauty in the intricate detail on one tiny snowflake isn't lost. Just because I know why lighting forms in the clouds, doesn't make it any less wonderful and powerful. Only God is powerful enough to stop the storm, in the skies and in life.

Where is your hope and future? My hope and future lies in the wonder of a God, who created the wonders on earth, and set the desire to seek out wonders in my heart. No matter if the people of this world seek to tear it apparat, The Creator isn't done creating and performing wonders for his children to seek.

22 “For as the new heavens and the new earth
Which I will make shall remain before Me,” says the Lord,
“So shall your descendants and your name remain.
Isaiah 66:22

13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
2 Peter 3:13

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.
Revelations 21:1