Wonder and Share

Wonder and Share

By Rev. Rhonda Thorndale

Psalm 8

1 John 3:11-16

It’s been a busy week with Tom’s knee replacement, complications, and 2 to 3 hours of sleep a night, and music lessons to teach and church duties. So, I turned to our United Church of Canada website and borrowed part of today’s reflection from the Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ca from Season of Gratitude.

Ever think about how beautiful some of the Psalms are.  Psalm 8 paints a picture. You can become lost in the imagines. If you close your eyes, you can imagine the paint brush sweeping across and a canvas being filled in as it moves along:  the waters flowing through the mountains and the valleys; fish of all sizes swimming in the seas;  animals drinking off to the side; the birds singing while they circle and make nests; the cattle in the distance grazing; trees providing shade; a sunset; people working together peacefully, making wine, bread, and oil. 

The scene is so picturesque, so perfect that the psalmist’s heart is stirred. “God, our God, how majestic is your name in all the earth! (v. 9), he declares.

We’ve all had such heart-stirring moments.   Sitting under our ancient pine tree and looking up, wondering what stories it could tell is one of those times for me. Getting a first glimpse of Scotland, when flying into Edinburgh was another. The years of living on the prairie, and appreciating the stark beautiful landscape, when you take the time to look.  So many times, I’ve looked at God’s good creation and my heart has been blown away—or blown open.

 In his writings, Plato said that contemplating and wondering at the cosmos leads the soul to God because all of creation reflects the beauty of the Divine. When we wonder at creation and are charged with the beauty of it, our soul transcends time and space. We are totally present to the moment. Plato’s ideas laid the ground work for the western philosophical discussions between the cosmos and the Divine. Wonder transports us to our depth.

 “Teach Me, God, to Wonder” the song goes.

 Wonder is a portal to the Divine. Maybe that’s why Jesus talked about the seeing the extraordinariness of seemingly ordinary things. Why he took bread and turned it into communion. Why he took fish and turned it into revelation. Why he took a child—and all of the wide-eyed amazement that filled the child—onto his knee and said “For it is such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs”. Why he gathered a group of people like you and me together and called us disciples.

Teach me, God, to wonder. That’s my prayer.

Yearning to wonder for me isn’t escapist. It’s not about escaping my inbox, my to-do list, my housekeeping. It’s about being faithful. I want to wonder so that I can be more engaged. How can any of us love something we don’t wonder about?

Amidst the chaos of her city, Evie stumbled upon a hidden alleyway. The walls were covered in murals, depicting swirling galaxies and stars. As she gazed at the paintings, her worries faded and were replaced by wonder. Her mind expanded, pondering the mysteries of the universe.

A friend stopped "Escaping reality, huh?".

Evie turned to him, "No, I'm connecting. Wondering how the cosmos draws me closer to God’s majesty.  It puts my problems into perspective, making them manageable. It's not escape; it's rejuvenation."Evie continued, "When I contemplate the universe, I'm reminded of humanity's resilience and creativity, it gives me hope. These murals aren't just art; they're demonstrating our capacity for awe and curiosity."

Wonder isn’t a departure from reality, it’s about finding depth and helps me find my place within it. This story highlights how wonder provides perspective on problems, connects humanity to the divine, and reminds us of our place within the larger universe.

Wonder isn't escapism; it's a transformative lens that enriches our understanding of the world and ourselves.  So what is wonder to you?

As we contemplate the vast expanse of creation, Psalm 8 inspires us to recognize the intricate web of life and our sacred responsibility within it. We're not separate from nature, but integral to its balance and beauty. This realization awakens wonder, gratitude, and love for the Divine that permeates all existence. We begin to see ourselves as part of a larger story, connected to every person, creature, and element.

In 1 John 3:11-16, Jesus' radical love embodies God's transformative presence. Love becomes the cornerstone of our faith, compelling us to prioritize compassion, justice, and mutual care. Sharing our wonder with others becomes an act of love, fostering empathy and unity. By embracing Jesus' teachings, we're called to dismantle barriers and embrace our diversity, recognizing God's image in every face.

Christianity emphasizes the importance of living out our faith in ways that promote justice, equity, and compassion. We're invited to cultivate humility, acknowledging our place within the grand tapestry of life. As we share wonder, we embody Jesus' love, prioritizing the well-being of the most vulnerable and marginalized.

In this dynamic dance of love and wonder, we find spiritual growth through embracing mystery and awe. We build community through shared experiences and empathy, recognizing our interconnectedness. Transformation unfolds as we co-create with the Divine, contributing to a more just and loving world.Our wonder inspires love, and our love ignites wonder, as we journey together toward a brighter, more just future. Our faith can be a beacon of hope, guiding us toward a world where love, justice, and compassion reign.

Artists never stop creating. It’s in their bones.

Likewise, God never stops creating. God’s spirit beckons us into other wonder-filled visions of the world. Dreams of lions lying down with lambs, of promised lands, of a new heaven and new earth. Wonder upon wonder to stir our hearts.

Allow yourself to be wonder-struck. Allow your heart to be stirred by the beauty of the Holy.  Allow your wonder to transport you to the deep places where the waters of mission baptize, cleanse, and refresh you to live your journey.

Let God teach you to wonder.

There’s wonder to realize. Wonder to actualize. Wonder to share. There’s wisdom in the sharing. Amen.