Amazing. Amazed. Amaze. These are words are used frequently to describe something extraordinary or astonishing. “Science amazes me.” “I was amazed by Connor’s computer programming skills.” “Your eyes are simply amazing.” Even though we frequently use this word, what does it really take to amaze us, to make us surprised, intrigued, and impressed? How does amazing happen? According to a commercial I saw not too long ago, the answer is the NBA playoffs. I can’t say that I disagree with that statement, but I want to know, what does it take for you to be amazed by God? At what point do we say, “Wow. God, you have amazed me”?
1. Timing. When something astounding catches you off guard. When you’re in the right place at the right time. As Ryan put it, you can visit New England and it’s pretty cool, but it becomes amazing in the fall. The colors of the trees are changing and it seems entirely different and fascinating.
2. Deeper knowledge. When we begin to learn about a subject more deeply, we can appreciate the things that are amazing about that subject. Take the human brain for example. Without knowing much about it, it seems quite fascinating and we are all grateful that it functions and allows us to do stuff. Yet, when you begin to truly learn about it and discover facts such as, “Each neuron is connected to other neurons by up to 40,000 individual connections (called synapses) between cells. Multiplying 100 billion neurons times 40,000 synapses is equivalent to the brain having more connections in it than there are stars in the universe.” And, “Information in your brain travels at about 268 miles per hour.” All of that happens so perfectly so that we merely have the ability to think. So you say, that’s amazing.
3. When we are aware of our surroundings. Being amazed involves being able to look at our lives and notice the things that are fascinating. Sometimes we are so busy noting other cars on the street that are like the ones we are in. If we’re in a Geo we say, oh sweet, there’s another Geo driving next to us. Then someone tells us to look across the street at the building engulfed in flames. We take something we thought was amazing, the sight of another sweet Geo, and trade if for something truly awe-inspiring. It’s like when we hike to the top of a hill and find a gorgeous valley with a stream running though it in a beautiful forest. We stumble into something that has been there for a long time, we just didn't know about it.
Going back to the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus sets the bar high for us in terms of the way we ought to live our lives. And by “sets the bar high”, I mean He calls us to perfection. Now, I’m not sure about you all, but I for one am kind of far from perfect. I sin, I neglect God, and I let people down. I would venture to say that perfection is impossible to achieve using purely our own will and self-motivation. We simply cannot accomplish perfection in the way we live your lives. We are only human after all, so I recommend giving up. Thanks for reading this…
If you choose to ignore my advice, and I hope you do or else I will feel really bad, there is in fact hope; hope to be changed and live lives that are fulfilling and meaningful, having purpose. Although not perfect, God can change our hearts. True change happens from following Jesus and giving up on your own ambition and what you believe is best. And it’s scary! For some people this change can happen rapidly. For most of us, this change is very gradual and we do not even realize it’s happening. It is the result of everyday choices and a commitment to following Jesus. Like rocks in a stream, our jagged edges are gradually smoothed; Christ moving in us transforms the rough parts of ourselves.
Often it is others who notice the change in us, and it amazes them. When hearing this, you look at yourself now compared to, say, a few years ago and think, “Who is this person? What happened to my selfishness and pride? Why do I care about others and why have my worries begun to fade?” You begin to lose the old you and allow yourself to conform to the person God wants you to be. If we give Jesus the authority to change us, we will be truly amazed.
Will you choose to give God authority? Will we choose to strive after God and live life with Him? Although it seems impossible, realizing that real change can only be accomplished through a relationship with God is crucial, and you may not see this now. Plainly, we need to allow ourselves to be amazed. That means being in the right place at the right time, seeking greater knowledge, and being aware of our surroundings. This will look differently for everyone, but I challenge you to consider the ways you do or do not put yourself in a situation where God might amaze you.
This can mean going to church or Large Group (cough cough), studying the Bible or having conversations with others who are seeking deeper knowledge. Examine your surroundings and try to discover the ways God is working and revealing Himself. Jesus taught on doctrine that had been taught by the Rabbis for hundreds and hundreds of years, and yet he was able to make it seem fresh, to give it new meaning, to make it amazing. Give Him the chance to do that with your life, your life that may seem less than fascinating, maybe a little empty, and dull. It’s happening now. Stop looking at the cars on the street that look like your own; the building across the street is burning. Choose to be amazed.
- Will
- Will
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