No. 10 Talk About Wonder

There are many facets to the word wonder. We’ve been looking at the noun and adjective side of the word. Today, I’d like to look at wonder from a different perspective. As a verb, it means to consider, to think, to discuss.

Let’s start with a season-appropriate example—Mary and the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:26-38). Some Bible translations use the word wonder in this passage. “Mary wondered about the greeting of the angel…” That translation isn’t wrong; it just hides a neat layer of meaning. The Greek word in the verse is dialogizomia — “to have dialogue or discuss.” As you read the whole passage, you see just that. It’s a dialogue between Gabriel and Mary.

I love the part of wonder that creates an action. The part that pushes past only seeing something or inwardly thinking about it. In this case, it opened up to a conversation. Rightfully so. Mary had many things to consider.

First, she was talking to an angel. Wow! Second, he was telling her two unbelievable things. She was going to have a baby as a virgin, and the baby was the Messiah. You know, just your average, mundane day.

I can’t wrap my brain around those three things happening all at the same time. I see a rainbow in the sky, and I have to pull the car over to wonder about it. I see a hawk, and I will stop mid-stride, gasp, and twist my head to watch it. I’m a wonder lightweight. Had I been Mary, I would have peed on myself and passed out at the angel’s first light.

Here’s what I really love about this passage and the meaning in the language. It displays the nature of God. He is alive, he listens, and he responds. God doesn’t just throw us into a mission, a calling, or into life without opening up a conversation with us. “Tell me your concerns? Let’s talk about it. I’ve got the answers. I’ve got the peace you need.” We are made in His image. He understands our need to process.

The most suffocating lie Satan feeds us is that we can’t talk (hear and speak) to God. We are created to be in relationship with God — that’s what He has always wanted. He has gone to extreme measures to secure that connection. Any voice that says otherwise is trying to cut us off from life.

Jesus, help me create actions with the wonder I feel and that you are revealing. Talking to you is the, well, most wonderful part of life. Help me silence the enemies lies with your truth.