Wonder, Worship, and Words of Eternal Life

May We Never Lose Our Wonder

“May we never lose our wonder. Wide-eyed and mystified, may we be just like a child staring at the beauty of the king.” — Amanda Cook

Have you ever wondered why the earth orbits around the sun? Or why moons orbit around the planets? Have you ever pondered why even atomic particles revolve around each other as if they themselves are a solar system?

At both the cosmic and subatomic levels, there is an intricate and elaborate interplay, suggesting that everything has a center. Everything we see is relational. And this relational dance underpins the very existence of the universe, illustrating that at the heart of God’s nature and his creative design is a desire for intimacy. So it is with us.

The gospel story beautifully illustrates how the God of the infinite pursued humanity with love, becoming the God of the intimate. In the vastness of creation, the God who hung the stars chose closeness. He chose to step into our humanity so that we could be part of His family. This is the wonder I’ve been pondering for the past week.

Worship is at the Core of Our Being

John Mark Comer, author of “Practicing the Way,” states: “The question isn’t whether I am being formed; the question is, what am I being formed into?”

In the fabric of humanity, there is a fundamental need to orbit ourselves around an idea, a thing, or a person. Whether we are aware of it or not, we have a need to be defined, formed, and shaped by that which we most value. From planets to atoms, written in the design of creation and deep within the human experience, there is a relational force that draws us to be affected by what brings us joy.

Whatever we revolve and orbit around, we choose to be vulnerable to; we choose to delight in; we let them shape us and form us. Thus, worship is as natural as breathing.

If that is so, what if we put God at the center of our worship?

He Who Alone Has the Words of Eternal Life

John 6:68 – “Simon Peter answered, ‘Lord, to whom will we go? You have the words of eternal life.'”

If we are already being formed into something, why not let that be the Words that come forth from the One who created us? Remember in John’s Gospel when Jesus tells the crowd that unless they eat of His flesh and drink His blood, they have no part in Him? This statement led many to leave. Jesus then questions His disciples, “Will you also leave?”

What astonishes me even more is how God, in Jesus, chose to be vulnerable to His people. The God of creation chose to subject Himself to rejection, misunderstanding, and judgement. God chose to be affected by the people He was in relationship with.

But Peter recognized Him and stayed connected. Because of their relationship, Peter saw who Jesus truly was.

Worship begins with wonder, and wonder elevates our perspective and expands our capacity to carry His presence and His identity over us. May the wonder of God fill you, leading you to worship the One who alone possesses the Words of Eternal Life.