Wonder - Day 18
The wonder of possible impossibilities
Luke 1:65-66
65 Awe fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happened spread throughout the Judean hills. 66 Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked, “What will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way.
Awe, wonder, fear, even dread, fell among those who knew what had taken place with Zechariah, Elizabeth, and their newborn baby, John. In essence, all these events were more than they could comprehend. Why, even thinking about it, trying to answer everything with human reasoning, was giving them a colossal headache.
And yet, God was at work. He was putting in place everything that He said He would to bring about salvation, reconciliation, and introduce a new king and a new reign over the earth.
Every year, on the night of Christmas, I find a place to pull away from everyone who has gathered together, to spend a few moments with God. The wrapping paper has been put away, the leftovers fill the fridge, and those that have gathered are either in a state of food coma, or playing games, or simply sharing stories and enjoying each other’s company.
But for a few moments, I find a quiet place and look out to the sky, pondering all that God did to bring about the Christmas story. Often, I can’t put anything into words, my heart is just in awe. I can’t say that in these moments, I feel fear or terror. These moments are more about peace, joy, gratitude, and yes, even anticipation as I wait for the day when Jesus comes again.
But I do get the fear part. When you are aware that something fully of God has taken place, you wonder if you’ll be able to stand in it’s presence. You wonder if you’ll be brave enough to do what God asks, when He asks. And yes, any time the curtain from this world into the next is open even just a crack, it is hard to comprehend. Our job is to trust that God knows what He’s doing, and what He’s up to, even if we don’t. To trust that God’s hand is on us, steering, directing, opening doors to new opportunities. We may not always have the words, but I pray we have enough strength in our lives to put one foot in front of the other, and follow God wherever He leads.
QUESTIONS
Luke 1:65-66
65 Awe fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happened spread throughout the Judean hills. 66 Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked, “What will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way.
Awe, wonder, fear, even dread, fell among those who knew what had taken place with Zechariah, Elizabeth, and their newborn baby, John. In essence, all these events were more than they could comprehend. Why, even thinking about it, trying to answer everything with human reasoning, was giving them a colossal headache.
And yet, God was at work. He was putting in place everything that He said He would to bring about salvation, reconciliation, and introduce a new king and a new reign over the earth.
Every year, on the night of Christmas, I find a place to pull away from everyone who has gathered together, to spend a few moments with God. The wrapping paper has been put away, the leftovers fill the fridge, and those that have gathered are either in a state of food coma, or playing games, or simply sharing stories and enjoying each other’s company.
But for a few moments, I find a quiet place and look out to the sky, pondering all that God did to bring about the Christmas story. Often, I can’t put anything into words, my heart is just in awe. I can’t say that in these moments, I feel fear or terror. These moments are more about peace, joy, gratitude, and yes, even anticipation as I wait for the day when Jesus comes again.
But I do get the fear part. When you are aware that something fully of God has taken place, you wonder if you’ll be able to stand in it’s presence. You wonder if you’ll be brave enough to do what God asks, when He asks. And yes, any time the curtain from this world into the next is open even just a crack, it is hard to comprehend. Our job is to trust that God knows what He’s doing, and what He’s up to, even if we don’t. To trust that God’s hand is on us, steering, directing, opening doors to new opportunities. We may not always have the words, but I pray we have enough strength in our lives to put one foot in front of the other, and follow God wherever He leads.
QUESTIONS
- If you get time to reflect during the Christmas season, what do you find yourself thinking most about?
- Think back to a time of meaningful worship, maybe even worship that left you in tears or speechless. What was it about those moments that caused that kind of reaction for you?
- In what ways do you think, today, right now, we can see the curtain separating this realm from God’s realm, move back just enough for us to catch a glimpse? How might you and I prepare our hearts to notice this happening more often?
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