Day 14: Wonder and Adoration
A selection from 25 Days of Wonder 2019, adapted 2024
To be wholehearted towards God is a spiritual principle we are called to. There are plenty of passages in the Bible to this effect. You can probably think of more, but here are a few to consider.
- Looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12:2
- Love the Lord with all your heart soul mind strength. Luke 10:27
- You cannot serve two masters. Matthew 6:24
- For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. 2 Chronicles 16:9
- Unite my heart to fear your name. Psalm 86
The decision, and it is a choice, to stay devoted to Jesus and his kingdom is aided by this wonderful fact. Choosing God is always an encounter. So, how do we keep choosing him? Here’s what I’m suggesting.
Wholeheartedness is fueled by wonder. The sheer, child-like, can’t get enough, awe for God. And wonder is fueled by adoration. Our singular gaze set on Jesus.
Many loves are vying for our attention, every day, all day. Martha Kilpatrick says it like this, “Life is a set of enticing traps. A hundred friendly roads beckon us, promising magic destinations. But to follow so many avenues creates only a maze…of no purpose, and that splendid mystery of our existence is lost by meaningless circling.”
Our wonder with God dissipates when our adoration is divided. But, when we set our eyes on Jesus, the one necessary thing, our sense of wonder and amazement is well-fed. He’s everything! I’m reminded of something Tullian Tchividjian said when he was stripped down to a singular focus. “God had stripped me down—wrecked me afresh! And when he does that to a person—when you actually feel like you have nothing—Jesus becomes more to you than you ever could have hoped or imagined. This began to define my life.”
What are we looking at? What are we fascinated with? Does it start with God? Does it end with God? Holy Spirit, help not lose the wonder with Jesus. Help us not misplace our adoration. What are we looking at? What are we fascinated with? Does it start with God? Does it end with God?
Declaration: As we celebrate your birth, Jesus, and prepare for your return, we echo the cry of David. One thing we ask, to gaze on you all of our days. We adore you, be our wonder!
Daily Reading: Psalm 27:4-7
One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.
Brave Sparrow 