Wired for Wonder: Embracing God's Presence in Life

 

Summary

In the exploration of the theme "Wired for Wonder," individuals are invited to delve into the concept of wonder and how it can serve as a grounding force in their lives, especially as a new year unfolds, potentially carrying over the challenges of the past. The message emphasizes the importance of recognizing God's power to center and guide one's life, regardless of whether one is new to faith or has been a believer for a long time.

The message begins by acknowledging the cultural moment of honoring Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy and the ongoing movement for equality. It is highlighted that Christians have historically advocated for the belief that all people are created in the image of God, possessing inherent dignity, value, and worth. This belief extends to all individuals, regardless of their views on God, and underscores the universal love and salvation offered through Jesus.

The narrative then shifts to the prophet Habakkuk, who questions God's apparent inaction in the face of injustice. Habakkuk's dialogue with God reveals a vision of God's power over nature and the ultimate plan for justice that transcends human understanding. This vision is exemplified by the story of Jesus calming a storm, demonstrating his authority over creation and inviting his followers to trust in his power.

The message also addresses the modern-day issues of "hurry sickness" and "worry sickness," where individuals are overwhelmed by the pace of life and the anxiety of potential negative outcomes. It is suggested that these worries can isolate individuals and prevent them from experiencing the wonder of God's presence in their lives. The community is encouraged to support one another and to remember that God cares deeply for each person.

The speaker draws parallels between the experiences of Habakkuk and contemporary life, suggesting that individuals can find wonder in God's creation and presence in their daily routines. The message encourages individuals to seek out moments of wonder, whether through nature, prayer, or reflection on God's work in their lives.

The message concludes with a call to action, urging individuals to identify ways they can look for wonder in the coming week. It is suggested that by focusing on wonder, one can combat the worries and hurried pace that often dominate life. The message ends with a prayer, asking God to meet each person where they are and to help them walk closer to Him.

Key Takeaways:

- The concept of wonder serves as a powerful antidote to the worries and hurried pace of modern life. By focusing on the vastness and power of God, as seen through the wonders of creation and the narratives of scripture, individuals can gain a fresh perspective that places their concerns within a larger, more hopeful context. This shift in focus can lead to a deeper sense of peace and purpose. [21:34]

- The story of Habakkuk and his interaction with God teaches that trust in God's plan is essential, even when it does not align with personal expectations or timelines. This trust is not passive but requires an active surrender of control and a willingness to embrace God's timing and methods, which are often counterintuitive to human nature. [16:46]

- The interconnectedness of the community plays a crucial role in combating feelings of isolation that worry can create. By engaging with others and recognizing that God's care extends to all, individuals can find support and understanding that alleviate the burdens of worry, reinforcing the idea that no one is alone in their struggles. [28:30]

- The practice of intentionally seeking out moments of wonder can be transformative. Whether through engagement with scripture, nature, or the arts, these moments invite individuals to experience the divine in the everyday and to cultivate a sense of awe that can reshape their approach to life's challenges. [26:26]

- The message of hope and salvation through Jesus is not limited to a future promise but is an active reality that can infuse everyday life with meaning. By inviting heaven into the daily narrative, individuals can experience a foretaste of the peace and joy that is promised in the fullness of God's kingdom. [29:07]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Wired for Wonder"

#### Bible Reading
1. Habakkuk 3:2-6 (ESV)
- "O Lord, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O Lord, do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy. God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. His splendor covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. His brightness was like the light; rays flashed from his hand; and there he veiled his power. Before him went pestilence, and plague followed at his heels. He stood and measured the earth; he looked and shook the nations; then the eternal mountains were scattered; the everlasting hills sank low. His were the everlasting ways."

2. Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV)
- "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

3. Mark 4:39-41 (ESV)
- "And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Peace! Be still!' And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, 'Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?' And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, 'Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?'"

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Habakkuk acknowledge about God's power and past actions in Habakkuk 3:2-6?
2. How does Isaiah 55:8-9 describe the difference between God's thoughts and ways compared to ours?
3. In Mark 4:39-41, what was Jesus' response to the storm, and how did the disciples react to it? [22:49]
4. According to the sermon, what are the modern-day issues that can prevent us from experiencing the wonder of God's presence? [07:33]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Habakkuk's vision of God's power in Habakkuk 3:2-6 help him to trust in God's plan despite his initial doubts and worries? [04:45]
2. What does Isaiah 55:8-9 suggest about the nature of God's plans and how we should respond to them?
3. How does the story of Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4:39-41 illustrate the concept of wonder and trust in God's power? [23:12]
4. The sermon mentions "hurry sickness" and "worry sickness." How do these concepts relate to the idea of finding wonder in God's presence? [07:56]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by worry or hurry. How might focusing on the wonder of God's creation help you to find peace in those moments? [06:54]
2. Habakkuk had to surrender his desire for control to trust in God's plan. What areas of your life do you find hardest to surrender to God, and how can you begin to trust Him more in those areas? [16:50]
3. The sermon suggests that community plays a crucial role in combating feelings of isolation caused by worry. How can you engage more deeply with your community to find support and understanding? [28:30]
4. Identify a specific moment or activity in your daily routine where you can intentionally seek out wonder. How can you incorporate this practice into your life this week? [26:26]
5. The message of hope and salvation through Jesus is described as an active reality. How can you invite this sense of hope and joy into your everyday life, especially during challenging times? [29:07]
6. The sermon encourages us to look for wonder in the coming week. What is one specific way you can shift your focus from worry to wonder in your daily life? [29:55]
7. Think about a person in your life who might be struggling with worry or hurry. How can you support them in finding moments of wonder and experiencing God's presence? [28:18]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Wonder Amidst Life's Rush
In a world that often feels rushed and burdened with worry, embracing wonder invites a pause to appreciate the vastness and power of God. This act of reflection can shift perspectives, allowing for a deeper sense of peace and purpose. It's a conscious choice to marvel at creation and the narratives of scripture, finding solace in the grandeur of the divine. [21:34]

Psalm 104:24-25 - "How many are your works, LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number—living things both large and small."
Reflection: What is one aspect of God's creation that you often overlook? How can you take time this week to appreciate it and find wonder in its existence?

Day 2: Trusting God's Counterintuitive Timing
The story of Habakkuk teaches the importance of trusting in God's plan, even when it seems counterintuitive or delayed by human standards. This trust requires an active surrender, a willingness to let go of personal expectations and embrace the mystery of God's timing. It's a journey of faith, acknowledging that God's ways are higher than our own. [16:46]

Isaiah 55:8-9 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: Can you identify an area in your life where you struggle to trust God's timing? How can you practice surrendering this to God today?

Day 3: Fostering Community Against Isolation
In moments of worry, the feeling of isolation can become overwhelming. However, the interconnectedness of the community is a powerful force against such solitude. By engaging with others and recognizing the universal care of God, burdens are shared and the weight of worry is lessened. This sense of togetherness is a testament to the fact that no one is alone in their struggles. [28:30]

Galatians 6:2 - "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
Reflection: Who in your community might be feeling isolated or burdened? How can you reach out to them this week to offer support and companionship?

Day 4: Cultivating Awe in Daily Life
Intentionally seeking out moments of wonder can transform one's approach to life. Whether it's through scripture, nature, or the arts, these moments of awe invite a divine experience into the everyday. They encourage a deeper appreciation for God's work in the world and in personal lives, reshaping how challenges are faced. [26:26]

Job 37:14 - "Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders."
Reflection: What is one routine part of your day that you can approach differently to seek out a moment of wonder and awe?

Day 5: Experiencing Heaven in the Everyday
The hope and salvation offered through Jesus is an active reality that infuses everyday life with meaning. By inviting the essence of heaven into daily experiences, individuals can taste the peace and joy of God's kingdom. This perspective transforms the mundane into the sacred, offering a glimpse of the eternal in the temporal. [29:07]

Colossians 3:1-2 - "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."
Reflection: How can you invite the reality of heaven into one aspect of your daily routine, experiencing God's kingdom here and now?

Quotes

1) "The wonder of God is bigger than the worries of our lives. But if we never look at him, we will never see it." [25:35] (Download)

2) "Wonder can keep you from worry. So let's take just a moment, pray in the quiet and your own moment." [29:46] (Download)

3) "God's kingdom will be fulfilled. His kingdom will come, his will will be done. It's inevitable." [14:34] (Download)

4) "God's heart breaks for the injustices in our life. God's heart breaks for what's breaking yours but it doesn't break him." [22:13] (Download)

5) "The vision from Habakkuk is one of an infinitely invincible God... This isn't about magical thinking that makes our problems disappear. It's about putting our problems in proper perspective." [21:34] (Download)

6) "We will never experience perfect and permanent justice this side of the moment that Habakkuk saw in the future." [11:52] (Download)

7) "God's timeline is all of time. He's not trying to meet your and my expectations or timelines. It actually wouldn't be good if he did." [11:52] (Download)

8) "The voice of creation, the agent of creation in Genesis 1 was the person of Jesus. And so here, the wind and the waves that came into existence from the voice of Jesus are now finding peace because of the same voice that created them." [23:26] (Download)

9) "God's grace is present in all of our lives and those are little glimmers and little hopes in a broken and damaged world that show us the deep gave forth from its voice." [10:28] (Download)

10) "Habakkuk needed to see something that would allow him to understand the counterintuitive nature of God in order to trust the plan he was hearing." [03:51] (Download)

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?