“Amazing grace…how sweet the sound!” “How great Thou art!” “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus…” “There’s just something about that Name!” “Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!”
These are all lyrics to a few old hymns of the church. Their words convey a certain wonder and adoration of the greatness of God. This kind of wide-eyed, jaw-dropping amazement should certainly promote a hopeful outlook on life.
Today we have numerous ways to experience God’s goodness. We can watch and listen to Bible teachings on TV, radio, and the internet, find encouragement in social media, listen to uplifting music, read inspiring books—the list is almost endless.
However, even with all the ways the Word is available to us, it seems as though we have lost some of the reverence and respect for God that we once had, and familiarity may be the culprit. Now, it’s not that familiarity is a bad thing necessarily, but when something—or someone—becomes common or ordinary to us, we begin to take it for granted and it is no longer special. I believe this can happen with our relationship with God.
Several years ago, I asked the Lord, “Why don’t I have exciting, special things happen in my life anymore?”
God spoke to my heart and said, “Joyce, I still do those things all the time. You have just gotten used to it.”
God wants us to live amazed by His goodness in our lives...to actively take notice of the truly wonderful things He does for us. Why? Because when we live amazed, we will never be without hope! Let’s look at the story of Abraham...
God had blessed Abraham abundantly. However, there was one thing that he and his wife, Sarah, didn’t have—a child. Abraham said, “...Lord God, what can You give me, since I am going on [from this world] childless...?
“And He [God] brought him outside [his tent into the starlight] and said, Look now toward the heavens and count the stars—if you are able to number them. Then he said to him, So shall your descendants be (Genesis 15:2, 5 AMPC).”
Although Abraham’s circumstances looked overwhelming, the Lord brought him out of his tent to amaze him and remind him that He can do the impossible.
I believe we can all spend too much time “in our tent,” looking at our own problems. That’s why the Bible says to look away from all that will distract unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).
Every time we decide to pray, read His Word or simply dwell on the great things He has done for us in the past, it produces hope. And, like Abraham, we soon begin thinking, Wow, maybe He can do this for me!
If we can’t find anything else to be amazed about, we can at least rejoice that we will live for eternity! But in the meantime, there is much more to inspire our wide-eyed wonder; all we have to do is simply pay attention.
Think back to a time shortly after you began your relationship with God. How did you feel? Were you extremely happy? Were you amazed by the presence of God…His grace…His love for you? How did you express your love and gratitude to Him? Did you laugh, cry, or dance before Him? Did you shout praises to Him or maybe bow in silent reverence? Whatever you did was your expression of the value, or importance, of your new and growing relationship with God.
It’s like a jar of salad dressing sitting on a shelf—most of the seasoning settles to the bottom of the bottle. But when you shake that bottle up, all the ingredients mix together and then the dressing can add flavor to a salad. In the same way, we can stir ourselves up and regain the reverence, respect, and awe we once had for the Lord. Shake up those memories of what God has done for you. Begin to do what you did when you first experienced God’s presence, grace, and love. Learn to maintain that amazement, because the more amazed you are, the more hopeful, joyful, and peaceful you’ll be—and the more “flavor” you’ll add to this world.
There are several ways we can stir ourselves up. Just stop and think for a moment. Begin to reminisce about the goodness of God in your life. Remember things He’s done for you. Keep a journal to record your prayer needs and then the answers and breakthroughs, or a gratitude notebook to just write down things you are thankful for. Share with others what God is doing in your life! It doesn’t matter whether they’re big or small things; remembrance is vital to maintaining hope, and these things can help remind you.
When you focus on how wonderful God is and all the great things He’s done…is doing…and even will do in your life, your natural response will be praise, adoration, and awe. Don’t let yourself ever get used to it…stay amazed!
