Have you lost the wonder? Thirty-one years ago in a jail cell I became a Christian. I can honestly tell you that I was overwhelmed with the fact that Jesus saved me; personally I would not have bothered with me. When I was released on bail just a few days later one of the first scriptures I learned was Isaiah 9:6 (For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulders: and his name should be call wonderful, counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting father, the Prince of peace). While I was just a new babe in Christ I was facing the rest of my life in federal prison. My grandmother shared this verse with me and for 3 ½ years I remained out on bail. For two and half years I preached almost every night; I had to learn very early on to survive the pressure of an uncertain future and the daily pressures of ministry to truly stay full of wonder. And 31 years of Christian service; thanks to his grace, I’ve never lost the wonder
No one has ever had to ask me to worship, to give, to pray daily, or to study the word. I know this may seem like an oversimplification; to simply state the basics as a reason for victorious living, but without the basics we have no root system to feed on in a time of trouble. In 31 years, I’ve watched them come and I’ve watched them go, I’ve seen people who were seemingly so exuberant lose the wonder and lose out with God. I don’t know which is sadder the ones who didn’t make it, or the ones who have sat on a church pew, or in a pulpit having lost the wonder and are either too blind or too arrogant to admit it.
I received phone calls and emails from people every day who once were so on fire for God but, now are simply going through the motions out of tradition. I suppose they are hoping to obtain a fire insurance policy without any premiums. The truth is, there was a time when you were young in the Lord, you hated sin; especially your own. Worship, prayer, study of the word, church attendance, and giving came naturally. No one had to remind you, because you were overwhelmed and full of wonder at how good God had been to you. Today, if most people would be honest; you’ve gotten accustomed to it, and while you may still fulfill what you call your duties, the truth is that the delight has gone out of your walk. Stop, and think back to those early days; how fresh, how real his grace was to you. His commandments were not grievous, his yoke was easy, his burden was light peace, and joy were abounding, and you went to church believing anything was possible and probable. May God in his mercy send revival one more time that we may stir up the gift that is within us, and recover the wonder of his name.
