I stand amazed

Before I could walk, before I could talk — I was in church. Year after year shifted me from Sunday school class to Sunday school class, but the message remained the same. For a week every summer, I joined my peers in drinking syrupy Kool-aid, playing games, making chintzy crafts and learning stories and verses from the Bible. As I grew older, I loaded up on mission trip after mission trip and took my turn sharing the stories so deeply ingrained into my mind.

I said all that to say this: This Christianity business is nothing new to me. I know the stories, many of them backwards and forwards. I know the characters, sure.

But I also sit here on this Sunday morning and admit that all the knowledge I have — and many of you have as well — doesn’t mean too much. It’s only one piece of the puzzle.

The past two weeks have allowed me the privilege to be a part of a study of the book of John with a friend who is learning it all for the first time. And I must say that as I sat in that circle, watching the expression on my friend’s face as they hear of Jesus’ birth and miracles and sacrifice — God has convicted my heart.

For as my friend takes it all in with wide eyes and a big smile, I have realized that my own wonder, my own awe has faded as I have grown older.

Take the Christmas story, the story of Jesus’ birth. How many of us can say we take the time to be amazed — shocked, even — by the fact Mary was a virgin?

Take the story of the woman at the well. How often do we sit and reflect upon how Jesus used a Samaritan adulteress to help spread the news of His identity to Samaria? And how did he know of those five husbands of hers anyway?

And take good ole John 3:16—

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, so that whosoever believed him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”

It is memorized by church children early on — myself included — and is used as the theme of many a sermon and many a tract.

And rightly so. For its words, though few, sum up the theme of the thousands of pages that fill the Holy Bible. But how many times do I stand and mechanically recite the precious words? More than I dare say.

But on this morning, join me in reflecting, with hearts full of wonder and awe, on this mighty God we serve. One who loved us so much, even in our sins and blunders, that he offered up his one and only, pure and perfect Son for our sake. And he sent Him here knowing full well, even planning, that we would kill him — brutally and cruelly. Why? To offer you and I an opportunity to delve into the pages of His word, believe His story and live with Him forever in heaven.

The stories we teach our children and absorb ourselves are key, yes. But let us not forget to take time to sit in wonder. And let us teach our children to stand amazed.

“O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.” Psalm 139: 1-6