When Wonder Leads the Way

The spirit of wonder is the heartbeat of our walk with God. It’s the defining experience of encountering Jesus. When people saw Him, they didn’t hang back or sit around waiting for someone else to fill them in. They ran toward Him, wanting to know more. 

Mark said it simply: “As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him” (Mark 9:15).

That reaction makes sense because His presence, His power, and His love are different. They draw us in and fill us with curiosity. 

That wonder isn’t a momentary thrill; it’s a deep, steady awe that reshapes how we view God, ourselves, and the world.
 
As Advent begins, Pastor Jay invited us to go on a journey of wonder with the Wise Men found in Matthew 2. 

Their first encounter with Jesus was a light; a star high above, unfamiliar and unexplained. They didn’t know exactly what it meant, but they knew they needed to learn more. Their curiosity was sparked. They understood just enough to know they were searching for a king, so they packed their gifts and followed the light.

I do really admire them. They traveled hundreds of miles, likely for more than a year, following a star across deserts and foreign lands. They somehow knew they were searching for a king so they went straight to a ruler’s palace to find him.  But when the place that made sense wasn’t where Jesus was, they didn’t shrug and go back home. They kept going. They let their wonder guide their wandering until it led them to a child. A human. God in the flesh.

Matthew tells us:
“When the star they had seen stopped over the place where the child was, they were overjoyed… They bowed down and worshiped him… and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh”.

Their long search had prepared their hearts for worship. But it’s not just about those ancient wise guys; our own journey is also about developing a fascination with Jesus; learning to wonder while we wander.

Pastor Jay explained that when we choose to be part of the search, we become part of the worship.

Seeking is worship. Curiosity is worship. Following the signs is worship. Asking questions is worship. Letting Holy Spirit direct us toward Jesus, again and again, is worship.

Wonder leads to worship, worship leads to faith, and faith opens our eyes even wider. Jesus said, “If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light” (Matthew 6:22–23).

The wise men kept their eyes open, watching the sky for a sign. Because they were looking, they saw the star. Because they were curious, they followed it. The same is true for us. When we look with wonder, we see the light. When we look with belief, His light can fill our lives.

Wonder doesn’t just inspire us, it transforms us. And Advent offers a wonderful reminder to pray, “Lord, restore my wonder. Open my eyes to Your light. Make my heart curious again. Lead me on the journey that ends in worship.”

Because when we walk in wonder, we’ll be transformed and amazed when we find Jesus.


Reflection Questions:
• Where do I see signs of God’s presence right now, and am I curious enough to follow them?

• How is wonder showing up in my journey with Jesus, and where might I need God to restore it?

• What part of my life can I choose to view with wonder and curiosity?

• When was the last time I felt genuine awe in God’s presence, and what helped awaken that sense of wonder?


Watch sermon here