Losing the Wonder

Went to the Georgia Baptist Evangelism Conference yesterday. Had a great time with our staff on the way there and back, at Krispy Kreme, and discussion and reflection. One thing that stuck with me, that I have continued to ponder last night and this morning was something that one of the presenters said in the first session. He is the son and co-pastor of a mega-church in Columbus, GA, about my age, and said many things that large church pastors say about growth and such, but then something out of the ordinary.

He said "never lose the wonder of your salvation." Wow!

Thomas answered him,
“My Lord and my God!”
-John 20:28 

Think about it. Never lose the awe of the gospel of the reconciliation that God has performed. Never cease to be astounded that he wound reach down in the greatest sacrifice to rescue the undeserving and incapable. Don't stop being amazing that he chose you from before the foundation of the world to put on display the riches of his grace as a trophy of redemption of a loving to toward and unlovely man. Never lose the astonishment of being blind, but then seeing; of being lost, then being found. Never lose the joy that came when the God of the universe broke open the darkness and shed his light upon you, and changed you forever.

Listen to the words that Jesus spoke to a seemingly and externally strong church, to whom he gave great praise, but had a heartbreaking problem:

“I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first..." -Revelation 2:2-5

All through the scripture we are shown the glory of God, weaving its way in a multitude of aspects to allow us to see his awesomeness and the unspeakable plan of redemption. Ephesus had experienced it, seen it, tasted it, and yet become lethargic, indifferent, and unimpressed with their salvation and the God who saves. We crave awe and wonder in our very being. We just tend to find it in other things. They found it in good things, but just not the best thing.

We must repent of our familiarity, boredom, and dullness. We must confess our need of fresh light and heat, and plead with God to grant favor toward us, showing us his glory. We must renew our minds with scripture and gospel-centered song. Join me in my own fight against this condition to which none of us are immune, and to which there is no vaccine; only (and sufficiently) hope in Christ!