Lost in Wonder

I couldn’t decide if it was worth it as Parky drove the dark, winding road up the steep volcano. The stargazing site sounded interesting at the time, but maybe it was too risky for an 11 pm destination with no one knowing our whereabouts. The drive seemed to take forever with only a few cars passing on their way down, offering me a breath of relief.

Finally, we arrived. The stargazing platform was within walking distance. The darkness felt almost overpowering even with our red-light flashlights. Once we reached the area with more than a hundred people milling around, I looked up.

The sight literally took my breath away. Above me were millions and millions of brilliant stars dotting the night sky. The brightness of the stars against the black sky was mind-boggling. There were so many stars, they practically touched one another. I knew it would look magnificent away from lights, but I had no idea it would be this spectacular.

Tears filled my eyes, thinking of the words in Psalms 147:4: “He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.”  How – tell me how – is that possible except through God’s design and intimate care over His creation?

I attempted to count a small circle of stars but gave up and chose to worship instead. I felt the truth of David Jeremiah’s words that worship and wonder are closely connected.

“True worship simultaneously humbles and uplifts us.” That was exactly how I felt.

That night I saw the Milky Way and a nebula forming stars. I cannot remember ever feeling such awe and wonder as I did that night. Yes, yes, yes, it was absolutely worth our 2+-mile drive up Hawaii’s Mauna Kea Summit.

Do You Ever Wonder?

When is the last time you experienced the wonder of God in your life? G.K. Chesterton, an early 20th-century Christian apologist, wrote, “The world is not lacking in wonders, but in a sense of wonder.”

I recently returned from a cruise to Alaska. Once again, I came to a place of wonder as I gazed upon glaciers sliding down the mountain slopes into the frigid waters. From a distance, they appeared smooth like a white velvety blanket. But focusing with binoculars, I could see their jagged blue edges and deep crevices. The sharp peaks lent themselves to dominance and unforgiveness.  

The snow-capped mountains contrasted against the grass-covered mountains, displaying valleys carved by snow and glaciers. They gave me pause as I wondered about the years spanning their unusual formations. Bergy bits (small pieces from the glacier) floating by the scenic landscapes added to the wonder.

One of the excursions my cousin and I signed up for was whale-watching. We boarded our specially designed boat, with ready cameras and roving eyes. After about 15 minutes, we saw water spouts, then more spouts. We were called to a location where it was reported that numerous whales were bubble-net feeding.

Bubble-net feeding is a particular feeding behavior seen only in the humpback whales of Alaska. The method involves whales working together to capture a school of fish or krill. The lead whale goes ahead of the others and exhales air to create a “net” of bubbles. He vocalizes to the others, who then join in to add to the rising bubbles. The fish are confused and fearful of swimming through the circular net. When the feeding call is sounded, all of the whales swim to the surface, mouths open, to scoop up the fish.

Our boat witnessed a bubble-net feeding with about five whales. Unbelievable. This is a learned behavior that happens only during the summer in Alaskan waters. And there we were. Can you imagine the wonder of seeing such an incredible and rare thing? The timing, the place? It lasted less than a minute, but that minute spoke volumes about these massive animals and their Creator.

Reclaim the Wonder

The words to the hymn “I Stand Amazed in the Presence” are appropriate adding an element of depth to our wonder.

I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene,

And wonder how He could love me,

A sinner condemned, unclean.

If you have trouble conjuring the wonder of God in your life, start with Psalm 8.

O Lord, our Lord,

How excellent is Your name in all the earth. You Who have set Your glory above the heavens!

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,

The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,

What is man that You are mindful of him,

And the son of man that You visit him?

For You have made him a little lower than the angels,

And You have crowned him with glory and honor.