wonder

Wonder beckons to the reality that there is something greater. Greater than I can imagine. Greater than what I know yet beckoning me to know more… and even more undoing, beckoning me to be known.

The feeling of wonder comes on the heels of thinking that is richer and deeper and acknowledges the richness and deepness of the greatest that is always calling to “Come further up, come further in!” (C.S. Lewis, The Last Battle).

Truth fuels feeling. Feeling follows truth.

I cannot control my feelings, but I can choose to lift my thoughts higher… beyond myself, beyond self. To rid myself of ego and pride to be humble in light of something and Someone entirely greater than myself. And then the inverted reality is that I then find myself more truly who I was born to be, doing more what I was born to do.

“Wonder is that possession of the mind that enchants the emotions, while never surrendering reason.” (Ravi Zacharias, Recapture the Wonder)

Humility replacing pride, awe replacing apathy, doesn’t happen when I know less. It happens in the astounding reality of the greatness of knowing more and so realizing the vastness of the expanse my senses have yet to observe.

And there is a wonder that is pure, humble and surprising that continues to be captivated by what has already been observed. True wonder in what I know, is not a once-and-done one-way ticket. It’s a continual dance of delight that never has to end. Seeing the known with fresh eyes because there is always a new facet, a new depth, a new delight… even in the everyday. Even in the mundane. Even in the ugly beautiful.

And when I know my needs are ultimately met and I am actually safe and secure, I can be curious. I can approach the vast yet unknown with wonder, awe and excitement. Not because everything will always be easy or there will not be heartache and hardship. But because ultimately, even with all of the unknown, I do know the end of the story and I do know the One who holds me in the meantime. I don’t have to approach the world through the lens of being a threat. I can be delighted in wonder as I walk in step with the One who leads and guides me into truth and life to the full.