Recovering the Wonder

J. Vernon McGee once used an illustration about bird watching. He said you couldn’t simply watch a bird anymore and enjoy its movement, or the way it flies and lands. You were discouraged from casually observing how it searches for water and food or for a place to build its nest.

Indeed, the old preacher said, “Nowadays you gotta’ belong to a club, buy certain glasses to watch them, subscribe to a magazine and pay dues. You can’t simply watch the birds.” Perhaps people are so caught up in the mechanics and trappings of birdwatching they miss the beauty of it. They overlook the joy of simple moments appreciating the way the birds dance, flutter, sing and find the worm.

Maybe you and I have done the same thing when it comes to beholding the beauty of the Lord. In our quest to read the latest book, listen to the latest podcast, get the most recent prophetic scoop; we’ve lost the wonder of beholding Him!

Consider John the Baptist (John 1:29,36) who, looking at Jesus as He walked, said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” In essence, John was saying, stop! Pay attention to this sacred moment! Carefully consider what you see and hear. Look at how He carries Himself, listen how He speaks. Without question, His words are rich and deep. See how He interacts with everyone He meets. Watch Him as He prays! Who is this Man from Nazareth? At whose feet did He learn such wisdom? Where did He master the art of grace? It makes one ask, why does He care so deeply? What is He really trying to achieve? And why are the disciples and others so dedicated to Him? Explain why is He so controversial among some.

Brothers and Sisters, as we pray, let’s take time to recover the wonder of Christ! Let’s not hurry to rush through a prayer list or yield to the pressure to read the latest book or meditate on the latest prophetic word. Let’s follow David’s lead in Psalm 27:4, “One thing have I desired of the Lord. That will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.”

Kerry Freeman