how often I miss the Wonder of God...

I just finished reading Margaret Feinberg's book Wonderstruck (http://www.margaretfeinbergstore.com/products/wonderstruck-awaken-to-the-nearness-of-god)

An incredible experience of spiritual disciplines with all the wonder and none of the discipline..

For my rigid, engineering self it is so easy to get caught up in Sabbath and Lent and how they "should" be observed and miss out on "...breathing in the goodness of God."  As Margaret explores rest, prayer, friendship, and gratitude she did an incredible job of drawing me into the wonder of who God is and what He offers us when we can stop long enough to open our eyes, hearts, minds and souls to Him.   How often do I get so caught up in the treadmill of life that I miss out on abundant living?  But there is safety in that treadmill.  Margaret wraps up her book with, "30 Days of Wonder: A Challenge to Experience God More"  I love her opening lines, "I've shared my journeys with you hoping to inspire you to experience God more for yourself.  As followers of Jesus, we have the opportunity to live each day in wild amazement of God.  If we pay attention, we can begin discovering the wonders all around us -- those moments of spiritual awakening that spark our curiousity to know God more."  But as she continues I know the potential costs..."...commit to praying for wonder each day and then together live alert to the ways God answers....you may sense the Holy Spirit leading you to do and say things you may have passed by before.  [The wonder of losing my own agenda.  The wonder of inconvenience].  You may find God nudging you to reach out to someone you've never noticed.  [The wonder of befriending the friendless and needy.  The wonder of journeying with others through grief and loss.  The wonder of joining the outcast.] You may feel an urge that the person who is supposed to volunteer or get involved is you.  [The wonder of serving and sacrificing.  The wonder of getting in over your head.]  Or you may sense the tug of the Holy Spirit to take more time diving into the Scriptures or taking time to pray.  [The wonder of transformation and change.] You may begin sensing God's presence in places and experiences that you never expected. [The wonder of surprise and mystery.  The wonder of the unknown.]"  The last two sound pretty good until I start to think a little more deeply about them.  A recent sermon series at my church was called "Jouneying with Jesus" but as we are knee deep in the season of Lent and Jesus walking toward the cross I have to seriously question the excitement and wonder of journeying with Jesus. 

Easter At Our House: Lent this year...