EVER WONDER WHAT'S HAPPENED TO WONDER?
Wonderful’s one of my favorite words. Although, I may overuse it, I fear more of us suffer from a lack of wonder. In a recent New York Times piece, Cody Delistraty, referenced a term I was unfamiliar with: Awe Deficiency Disorder.
So, how does A.D.D. show itself? “The desire for efficiency, for digital distraction, for staying inside has taken awe from our lives. It’s knocked us from time spent staring at the stars, from imagining, from confronting the grandness of the world. And without awe, we become stuck.”
Well, are you feeling stuck? Sometimes I feel stuck, l let anxiety replace awe. Who wants to look at the stars when the news bombards us with Chicken Little’s frantic cries, “The sky is falling!”?! Then there’s the earth shaking, crumbling more than buildings. Where’s wonder when we need some?
So trust me. I have some wonderful news, and it’s an Rx for Awe Deficiency Disorder. What’s the prescription? Well, my friend, Martha Stout, shared it last Sunday , when she preached at the First Congregational Church in Essex: “Less Angst, more thanks.”
But how? Angst and despair seem to prevail. So, less dwelling on what’s wrong, more attention to what’s going well. Less listening to the loudest voices, more listening to the whispers of God’s Holy Spirit. Look up and around to feed thanks and awe. As the author wrote, “Awe reminds us there’s something bigger than ourselves.” And problems worse than ours.
More than 270 years ago, Charles Wesley wrote a hymn entitled, “Love Divine.” The words are awe-inspiring as we consider the Love of God. And the result? We are “lost in wonder, love and praise” for this God who created universes. And us!
Well, I have a hunch that some of you are remembering, humming or singing, “How Great Thou Art.” If not, George Beverly Shea’ is on YouTube. Others sing it, but when I think of that Swedish poem/ hymn, I hear his voice.
So, “less angst, more thanks.” Less looking in or down, and more looking up and around. Maybe grab your Bible and read Job. Sometimes it’s good to be reminded of God’s awesome power, love and wisdom.
Well, are you ready to get lost in wonder? Getting awe-struck now and then is good for what ails us.
Feel better?
Truly, it’s a wonderful world.
And you’re one of God’s wonders.