Some years ago, in the midst of the “busyness of ministry,” things that once were fresh and exciting had become pretty much routine. I had lost the wonder and awe of God’s work in creation, but even more importantly, I had lost the wonder and awe of His miraculous work in making me into a “new creation.” I was kind of running on fumes. During that period I wrote the poem WONDER (see below) that expressed where I was, and may express where somebody “out there” may be right now. It can happen to anybody. I was, and am, grateful for God’s reminder to Job, and the Psalmist’s reminder to me that, fundamentally, the life God has for us can’t be all that complicated if, from the lips of children and infants He ordains praise.

“Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s WONDERS. Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes the lightening to flash? Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those WONDERS of Him who is perfect in knowledge…?”
(Job 37:14-16)).
“O Lord, our Lord…You have set your glory above the heavens. FROM THE LIPS OF CHILDREN AND INFANTS YOU HAVE ORDAINED PRAISE…” (PSALM 8:1-2a).

WONDER
Lord, help me not to take for granted all the things I should enjoy.
Sometimes I’d like to wish, and once again become a little boy—
So many things were new, and every day became a new adventure.
I didn’t know…I wanted so…I ran to see…I felt so free…
But now I’m bound, for I have found
there’s nothing new,
what must I do
to rediscover wonder?

Help me find the wonder,
help me see the beauty in a baby’s eyes.
Help me find the wonder,
help me feel the grandeur of the starlit skies.
Help me find the wonder,
help me love so deeply that my heart’s set free.
Help me find the wonder,
help me be all you intended me to be.

Help me find the wonder,
help me dream again
and sing again
and laugh again
and play again
and
shout so all the world can hear…
“I’m free—I’m free—I now can soar.
They’re not just dreams,
they’re so much more!”
For what I was…I’ll be again.
I’ll hope,
I’ll dream,
I’ll pray,
and then…
I’ll WONDER.
–RJO