Do You Ever Wonder?
Sometimes I find myself wondering about the game-plan of my life. Does God want me to do this or that, now or later or perhaps never, with or without someone or what about an inspirational dream, you know, things like that.
It also depends on my surrounding circumstances. Such as the year 2020. For many people this particular year has disrupted even those with a sound mind! However, I live on the up side of hope and no longer find myself boarding the so called roller-coaster-of-life when things go awry. I used to push my way through a virtual line of people to hop on board that mess.
I learned a lot of important things before 2020 came on the scene. I realized I had been equipped with good measures of patience and flexibility among other accessories to navigate my pilgrimage called life. As the year gained momentum I began to quickly focus on who God is. And that He could be trusted no matter how crazy the year became.
Like David in the Bible, (See notes below) I encouraged myself because the media isn’t encouraging and no one has any answers I can completely trust. I refuse to fall into the trench of doom and gloom. Although to be honest; I unfortunately have dipped my toes into it occasionally on a bad day. But then yanked it back out!
I truly hope that you also will not be sucked into a bog of despair. The days of your life are truly not fading away before your very eyes because you are most assuredly known by an amazing God. Jeremiah 29:11 says that he has a hope and a plan for you. Choose to believe in that.
There is a freshness in "wondering" when we untie it from the strings of doubt.
Then it becomes a state of "pondering" with real freedom.
I find that soon after that, excitement and joy arrive for what God has for me.
Look out your window of opportunity with eyes that really desire to see.
It is not a matter of wondering “If" God has something for you.
It is a matter of capturing the vision of what He most assuredly has for you.
Now, you can "ponder" about the "Wonder" of God.
Wonder-Full
Denise Sherriff
If you are interested and have time there are some foundational notes below.
Note: Webster’s Dictionary defines:
Wonder: Surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable. Having remarkable properties or abilities.
A surprising event or situation.
Ponder: Think about something carefully, especially before making a decision or reaching a conclusion.
The notes below are from:
By Maria Kneas
(author of Strength for Tough Times)
David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. (1 Samuel 30:6)
After fighting the Amalakites, David and his men returned to Ziklag to find that their wives and children had been taken captive by their enemies, and their homes burned. As a result of this tragedy, David’s men turned against him.
And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. (1 Samuel 30:6)
Immediately after this, there was a radical change in David’s men. Instead of stoning him, they followed him and overtook their enemies. They rescued their families and returned with animals and other plunder.
How could David, who was cornered, and about to be stoned to death, turn around and inspire these angry, grieving, tired men to successfully undertake this?
What brought about such a transformation in David and his men?
We can find some keys in the psalms, which record David’s prayer and worship. They show us how David encouraged himself in the Lord, and how we can do the same.
In Psalm 42, David talked to his soul (his mind, his will, and his emotions):
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. (Psalm 42:5)
The term “cast down” is significant. David was a shepherd. A “cast” sheep is one that is unable to get back up on its legs. If the shepherd doesn’t find the sheep and help it get back on its feet, the sheep will die.
David says that his soul is like a cast sheep. He talks to his soul, telling it to get back up on its feet again, to hope in God, and to praise Him.
In Psalm 103, David tells his soul to bless the Lord. Then he reminds himself about God’s mercy and love and faithfulness:
Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103:1-5)