Tag: Wonder

Wonder & Mystery

~ Steve Vandop ~ 1 Comment

There are times in life and faith that we all put on our detective’s hat and dive deep into the mysteries that occupy our minds with the question of why. The author of a good mystery story reveals certain (sometimes very specific or intentionally vague) pieces of information to keep its reader yearning for more, keeping them on the edge of their seat while they frantically read to discover the ending. As an avid mystery reader and writer my oldest daughter says there is an incredible tension (and satisfaction) between revealing all to the reader or leaving them “hanging on a cliff”. 

Whether it is a detective novel about murder, a cozy mystery, or a grand caper, we typically find an end to the story, the answer to the question of “whodunnit”, and why. When we come to reading and studying scripture, we are at times left “hanging on the cliff” wanting more, expecting more, and at times, even demanding more. 

God in his infinite wisdom has authored for us an incredible story that continues from the first days of creation to this moment in time right now and reaches into the future, a future to which only he knows. As the author of the greatest story ever told we as his creation are characters with limited understanding as we are placed somewhere into the timeline of this grand narrative. 

For me, one of the greatest mysteries in this story that we are all a part of as followers of Jesus (and perhaps even those who are not) is that of the relationship between the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Through His inspired word to us God reveals to us pieces of information that create in us a great sense of wonder and mystery of who he is.

One God, “three persons”. It is a lot to wrap our minds around. There is a lot that do know from the words of scripture and yet there is still plenty of mystery surrounding this incredible God that we have. Many have dedicated their lives to the study of the doctrine of the Trinity over centuries of time and I in no way can explain much here in less than 600 words. One thing I can do is share this thought. 1 John 4:6-21 talks about God’s love and ours; simply stated, “God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”

At the beginning of time God walked with Adam and Eve (3:8), he was present with them and desired to be with them. When sin entered the world that loving intimate relationship was broken. Yet, God still desired to be with his people, so he sent Jesus to be present with his people; to show us how to live in love with him and one another. Jesus showed his love for us through his life, death and resurrection. When Jesus left to be in heaven we were not left alone, he sent the Holy Spirit to guide us, to know how to live in love, and continue to know the love of God and so that others could know him. 

In each expression of who God is, we as followers of Jesus will experience his incredible love. He is present in our lives each and every day through the Spirit, who is God. When we live in love, we live in God who is love and he lives within us. (is your head spinning yet?) 

For me, I love that there is wonder and mystery around this incredible truth. I don’t have to have it all figured out, to know every little detail. I have faith in the words of scripture that reveals to us who he is as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I am okay with sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to know more. How about you? Are you living in love; in God, who is love? Do you wonder about this incredible mystery?

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Wonder & the Holy Spirit

~ Steve Vandop ~ Leave a comment

12v, 18v, 24v or 40v?  What is the best battery capacity for the job? How much power do you really need? Well, it all depends on the job. You might be a contractor looking for a larger capacity battery so you can work faster and longer. Or you might be a DIY kind of person who only needs a smaller capacity battery. No matter the job, batteries have the capacity to supply the power needed to get the job done. 

In my last post I talked about the idea of wonder as a powerful response to something bigger than you and me. I recently listened to a sermon presented by my friend and fellow pastor and was inspired to think more about the power of the Holy Spirit in my own life. He commented that “power to live has to come from an external source.” His point was this, as followers of Jesus Christ we have been given the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives “to do what we were created and then redeemed to do.” 

Do you ever wonder what this means for us as believers? What is it that we are created and redeemed to do? Acts chapter 1:8 has helped me understand better the wonder of the work of the Holy Spirit in my own life. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” In life, the power and work of the Holy Spirit is so much bigger than who I am, but at the same time, is the “external source” that leads and guides my life and actions. In general terms, the power that you and I receive from the Holy Spirit is the ability or capacity (the gifts of the spirit) to carry out our purpose as participants in the Missio Die, the mission of God. What capacity do we have to affect change by the power of the Holy Spirit?

In Acts chapter 1:8 we are reminded of our mission; these words echo the commands of the great commission given in Matthew 28:19-20. In slightly different terms, Jesus calls his disciples to be a witness for him to Jerusalem and to the ends of the earth. This role as witness is to testify about the life, death and resurrection of Christ; to speak about the kingdom of God and to know Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. God’s gift of the Holy Spirit gives us the capacity and drive to actively be on mission, to teach, to preach, and lead others to Christ. 

The mission we are called to like any good mission, is well planned with purpose and intent. The Holy Spirit is the one who renews us each and every day (when we pray and ask) with the knowledge and understanding of all that Jesus has taught us through the words of scripture. The Holy Spirit guides us into the truth of the Gospel, convicting us of our sins, bringing us before Jesus to seek forgiveness so that we can continue to grow in our understanding of the incredible love and compassion that is poured out for us into our lives. 

Knowing and trusting in the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives comes when we put our faith, hope and trust in Jesus Christ. You and I were created by God for a purpose and gifted by the power of the Holy Spirit to be a witness to all the world so that they may see and know of him through us.

The power we have through the Holy Spirit is not our own, it is a gift from God that is so much bigger than you and me. Yet, God in his infinite wisdom gives it to us so that we can partner with him and others of like mind to continue the work of Jesus and his disciples. Have you experienced the wonder of the power of the Holy Spirit in your life? Are you a witness to the wonder and truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, doing what you were created and then redeemed to do? 

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What do you Wonder About?

~ Steve Vandop ~ 1 Comment

Many years ago, I had the rare opportunity to lay under the stars near the edge of a lake. I was far from home, the reach of the light pollution from the city was obscured by the giant shoulders of the mountains that surrounded the pristine mirror-like waters of the lake. The clouds from that day had been swept away by a gentle breeze leaving a blank canvas for the stars to shine. Once the sun had found its place in the depths of the great beyond, I watched as the heavens above me transformed into what no digital screen could ever produce. I laid there as still as the night around me feeling overwhelmed with an incredible sense of awe and wonder. 

This moment in time is one of the many experiences that continue to shape my sense of wonder and awe in the created world around me. As a follower of Jesus, a son of the one true God who created me, it is moments just like this that I cannot help but stand in awe of the works of his hands. From the opening words of Genesis chapter one we are presented with the awe-inspiring words that narrate for us the incredible power, authority and creativity of the Lord our God as he knits together this incredible place we call home. 

The creation story is the first of many wonder filled narratives in scripture that help us maintain a sense of awe about who God is. Throughout the pages of scripture, we are guided along a journey in life and faith that continually reveals to us the many characteristics of God who loves and cares for us. As much as God’s creation (the world around us) can lead us to be in awe in wonder there are many other ways we can experience the wonder of God in our lives. 

Think about life itself, each of us is a unique creation of God, fearfully and wonderfully made. The words “fearfully” and “wonderfully” convey this incredible sense of awe and wonder for the complexity and beauty of the human body. This recognition should fill us with wonder and gratitude for every heartbeat, for every breath that is given to us to live out his plan for our lives.  

Wonder can be described as an emotion; it is a powerful response to something bigger than you and me. In the context of our faith stories, it is an awe-filled recognition of God’s work in the world around us, in our lives and in our relationship with Him and others. Think about the wonders of the cross, the wonders of the resurrection and the wonders of the message and promise of the Gospel. 

The Bible as a whole is an inspirational source of wonder.  The scriptures reveal God’s character to us, His promises to us, and His plan for salvation. They are a living testament to God’s interaction with humanity throughout history. Hebrews 4:12 reminds us that, “the word of God is alive and active” in other words, it is awe inspiring and draws us into a sense of wonder. As we study the Bible, we uncover layers of meaning and wisdom that continually fill us with awe and wonder. The narratives, poetry, prophecies, and teachings all point us to the wonder of God’s love to us. 

What do you wonder about? What fills your mind with awe and wonder when you interact with scripture? Our God is an awesome God, the God of Wonders. It is my prayer that you have experienced the wonders of his love for you through knowing Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. 

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