My title for this devotion is Keep the Wonder vs Lose the Wonder.
Have you ever seen something so often that either it loses its luster or you miss it completely? When you go to that mountaintop; when you wake up and see that beautiful sunrise; when you coo over a new born; when you go gaga over an engagement ring; when you smile at getting the new car; whatever it is, but then as time goes on the new “shine” is replaced by the mundane. The mountaintop view, the sunrise, etc lose their awe-filled pull.
I have. I was reminded of that this past weekend. I was honored to be asked to perform a wedding in St. Louis. The couple is clearly in love. Everything, surprisingly, went off without a hitch. Even the bride commented to Jo & me as we left as to how perfect everything was and how she wondered “when is something going to go wrong?” Their vows were sincerely felt and said. There was obvious love in their eyes.
The question that haunts me as a pastor though is “will it last?” Will there still be love in their eyes when struggles come? When children come and life gets in the way, will there still be love? I’m not foolish enough to think their marriage won’t change; of course it will. It will mature. It will toughen. It will deepen. Or it will die. Become old hat. Lose the wonder. Just as in the examples I gave at the start, they can keep the wonder or lose it.
More importantly: how about my relationship with Jesus? Am I keeping it one of wonder or has it lost its luster?
“Father, it is easy to let the wonder of You and my relationship with you become old hat. Help me to guard against that and keep my lofe for you fresh and exciting.”
Why is it that we lose the wonder?
It is likely the sunset hasn’t diminished. It is likely that the view from the mountaintop hasn’t changed. Maybe a different baby to coo… I am pretty certain the engagement ring didn’t lose a carat.
So what has changed… me.
When you involve people, both have changed, that is the time to find the new wonder.
The wonder in a relationship is not remembering when, but finding the new each day.
I think the same can be said in my relationship with Jesus… I need to seek to find the new each day.
Well said Ryan! That is such a good take on this devotion. As some say, “we need to find the new normal.” I would agree with you that needs to be each day. Thanks for the comment.
I know that I never want to lose my sense of wonder when it comes to knowing Jesus better, and engaging in the world and relationships around me. When we adopt a gratitude attitude for all our blessings, I truly believe that sustains our ability to never stop being aware of God’s wonders all around.
Blessings, Bill!
I never want to lose my sense of wonder either Martha. I need to stay sharp.
Oh man… this pathetic flesh. Each day and gift from Above should be a mind blowing one. You’re right of course, the new wears off and emotions are replaced by either character or the lack of it…
You are right Floyd. Each day is a gift and so hard to keep that in mind. Losing luster seems to be a byproduct of living.