The Wonder of a New Start
The Wonder of a New Start
Pastor Lori Champion
What makes you wonder? Lots of things make me wonder - like people-watching at an airport. I wonder about why the people are traveling; what’s their story? When I see tearful reunions or goodbyes, I wonder if they are happy tears or if a loved one pass away? Honestly, I also wonder how some people can confidently wear their pajamas to the airport? Anyone with me? I will barely walk out of the house without a full face of make-up. Don’t get me wrong, I love comfort. In fact, I have my "travel outfits," which are super cute but feel like pajamas. I just don’t know that I’d ever have that level of confidence to wear my flannels! But I digress….
I’ll never forget the first time Joe held my hand on the console of his Mercury Sable, after taking me to dinner. I immediately experienced…Wonder! What wakes up your wonder?
Wonder is defined as a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable.
Our theme for Radiant Conference 2024, is “Awaken the Wonder”, so I want to dedicate the next four months leading into Radiant Conference to that theme! I want us to wonder - not about airport attire or how our world got to where it is. I want us to AWE AND WONDER!!! I think we can easily take for granted the blessings of God, in both the awesome and the ordinary. I believe that happens in our relationships, too.
What wakes up your wonder?
Lamentations 3:22-23 says, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Do you think that God’s mercies are only abundant in the morning or is it that our perspective is fresh? I am not a morning person, but over the holidays my 7-month-old granddaughter was visiting us; without fail, she woke up every day squealing for joy. Imagine that, with no coffee required! I woke up early just to experience her waking up. It was so worth it! She also squealed every time someone she loved walked into the room, no matter how many times she had seen them that day. It reinforces what Jesus said about having child-like faith and child-like wonder.
In God’s economy, He has built-in fresh starts, new mornings, new seasons, and cycles: 24-hour days, 7-day weeks, 365-day years, 4 seasons. Here we are in January, the time again to reset our wonder. He knew we’d need to rest and wake up with fresh perspectives, energy, and maybe even some squeals for joy. I came across this passage that literally energized me!
Psalm 57:7-11 (The Message) "I’m ready, God, so ready, ready from head to toe, Ready to sing, ready to raise a tune: “Wake up, soul! Wake up, harp! wake up, lute! Wake up, you sleepyhead sun!” 9-10 I’m thanking you, God, out loud in the streets, singing your praises in town and country. The deeper your love, the higher it goes; every cloud is a flag to your faithfulness. 11 Soar high in the skies, O God! Cover the whole earth with your glory!"
At first glance, you might think, “Wow, the writer of this Psalm must have just received a promotion, aced a test, met the girl of his dreams, or won the lottery." But actually, the writer is David. When he wrote this, he was running for his life, hiding in a cave from King Saul, who was trying to kill him. David was actually being stalked like a prey. How could David, in his situation, write such an inspirational anthem? One reason: His wonder was bigger than his war!
So, my prayer for you is whatever battles you had in 2023, 22, 21, 20… that may already be stalking you in this new year, you realize that God woke you up this year. He put breath in your lungs. He is not only a God of new beginnings and fresh starts, but He is a God of new Wonders. I’ll leave you with one more verse to believe for your life in this new 2024 year:
Isaiah 43:19 "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."