What are we sharing about God?
Brian McLaren, in chapter 18 of his book, “More Ready Than You Realize”, quotes Gregory of Nyssa, an ancient church teacher, who said “Concepts become idols – only wonder understands.” I think when we try to share Christ, too often we are trying to share the concept of Jesus rather than the wonder of walking with Jesus. “Wonder understands.” That is a powerful statement. Wonder is found in seeing God in the sunset, a baby’s cry, in rest, in music, in tears – God is everywhere; God is with us.
Recently I have been doing some photography as a hobby. A big part of taking a good photo is seeing the same things everyone else sees – but from a different angle. Of course, this means that when I am taking the photos I get a lot of strange looks from others. Why are you stopping to take a very close up picture of that nail on the ground? Why are you turning your head to the left and taking that picture? It is about seeing the world differently, and capturing some of the wonder of the One who made it all, and made me. When I have a photo walk, I find myself wandering a lot more – to capture more of the wonder. When I come back from these photo walks, I see the rest of my life differently, too.
Have you missed some of the wonder? Can you see the playfulness of the Author of Light?
Jesus dying on the cross and rising again is not just a concept – as if we could contain the atonement or incarnation with words from languages we invented; words that are so limited. God has united with humanity – the wonder of it! Jesus has taken our sin on His shoulders and forgiven us – soak in the profound joy of that statement. God doesn’t just want us to know these truths but to experience these wonders – and to pass them on to others. Too often we miss the wonder and try to share the concepts. It would be far better for us to experience and share the wonder (while trying our best to understand).
How great the Father’s love for us! How wonderful the love He is growing in us, washing away our pain and helping us let go of our grudges and anger. Don’t miss His wonder all around you – and share it with others.
