A gift of worship and wonder

There is a beautiful simplicity in the act of worship—a profound mystery that stirs our souls and draws us closer to God's heart. At its core, worship is a response to the wonder of who He is. It is not merely singing songs or attending church; it is a life lived in awe of the Creator, captivated by His majesty, and surrendered to His goodness. This gift of wonder is the spark that ignites true worship, transforming mundane routines into sacred moments where heaven touches earth.

Scripture constantly calls us to behold the wonder of God. Psalm 19:1 (NKJV) declares, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork." Every sunrise, every starry night, and every breath we take testifies to His greatness. Yet, how often do we allow the busyness of life to dull our sense of wonder? How often do we walk past the evidence of His glory, failing to pause and marvel at the One who spoke it all into existence?

True worship begins when we rediscover the wonder of God. It is the realization that He is both infinite and intimate, transcendent yet near. In Isaiah 6, the prophet finds himself in the presence of the Lord, high and lifted up. The seraphim cry, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!" (Isaiah 6:3, NKJV). Overwhelmed by God’s holiness, Isaiah responds with humility, "Woe is me, for I am undone!" (Isaiah 6:5, NKJV). This is the essence of worship—being undone by the majesty of God and offering our hearts in reverent awe.

Wonder fuels worship because it opens our eyes to God’s greatness and our need for Him. When we are captivated by His beauty, our hearts naturally overflow in praise. David understood this when he wrote, "I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvellous works" (Psalm 9:1, NKJV). Worship flows from a heart that sees the marvelous works of God and cannot help but respond.

Yet, wonder is not confined to the grand and the extraordinary. It is also found in the simple and the quiet. In 1 Kings 19, Elijah encounters God not in the mighty wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a still small voice. There is wonder in the intimacy of God speaking directly to our hearts. Sometimes, worship is not about shouting or singing loudly; it is about sitting in His presence, silent yet fully aware of His nearness. This too is worship, and it is beautiful.

But wonder also leads us to deeper surrender. Worship is not just about being amazed by God; it is about offering ourselves fully to Him. Romans 12:1 (NKJV) calls us to present our bodies as "a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." This sacrificial worship is a response to the wonder of God’s mercy and grace. When we grasp the depth of His love, shown through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, how can we not give Him everything?

In Jesus, we see the ultimate revelation of God’s wonder. John 1:14 (NKJV) says, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." Through Christ, we see the glory of God made tangible—a glory that invites us into relationship, transforming us into worshippers who reflect His light to the world.

As we cultivate the gift of wonder, we learn to worship not just on Sundays but every day, in every moment. We worship in the joy of community, in the stillness of prayer, in the beauty of creation, and in the act of serving others. Worship becomes the rhythm of our lives—a constant declaration that He is worthy.

So today, let us ask God to awaken our sense of wonder. Let us gaze upon His glory with fresh eyes and respond with hearts overflowing in worship. For when we behold the wonder of who He is, we cannot help but declare, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!" (Revelation 4:8, NKJV). Let our lives echo this eternal song, offering Him the praise He so richly deserves.