Wonder and worship

Surprised by discovery

Welcome! Thank you for letting me share my thoughts today on wonder and worship. For many, school is out or soon will be. The anticipation of summer skips into your mind with hopes of sunny days and family fun. As you let down and relax a little, I encourage you to keep your eyes open to evidence of God. He wants you to be surprised by discovery so you grow increasingly aware of who He is and the works He does. Let’s explore this pairing of wonder and worship today and prepare for a summer of discovery! 

Intentional observation, surprising discoveries 

Wide eyes. Audible gasps. Unbridled curiosity. 

Don’t you love how children find intrigue in small things? Items that adults may overlook—bugs, fallen leaves, sparrows, clouds and other created things—captivate a child with the thrill of discovery. 

So, when my children were young, they often heard the words “Pray big prayers, and…look for God in small things.” I wanted them to know He was powerful and could do “far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20 ESV), and I longed for them to experience discovery with regard to God, to wonder at Him and His creation. 

So, we would focus on the multitude of dainty white petals on a small garden weed. Who designs a weed to be pretty? Who invests that much care in something so temporary? God does. If He cares that much about a weed, how much does He care about you? 

We stopped and purposefully smelled the air when it rained. Why does the water God sends from the sky smell better than any other water? We wouldn’t have known any difference if it were unscented, so why gift us with that amazing scent? Because He loves to see our delight. 

We marveled at sunsets and cloud patterns and tumbleweeds and ladybugs and…well, you get the picture. We paused intentionally to be surprised by discovery because all of creation speaks, broadcasting the message that God wants us to discover who He is and what He has done (Ps. 19:1, Rom. 1:20). 

The practice of wonder 

And you know what? Quite often, we still notice God in small (and large) aspects of creation. Why would we yield that wonder to focus on “adult” demands and pressures? Awareness and awe always bring more joy than oblivion and indifference. 

So, my daughter’s call to “come see something” a few nights ago was not unusual. When I stepped through the back patio door, though, the rainbow I saw was unexpected. No rain fell that day—nor for three days before or after. The sky was overcast, but the likelihood of a rainbow had to have been small. 

Still, there it was. Not a whole one. Not a big one. But a bright one. (The picture does not do it justice.)

Although Rachel called so we could share a moment of wonder, she had no idea what it would mean to me. God has been leading me to write a Bible study on Genesis, and for several days, I had been trying to compose a single lesson. I had written, and rewritten, and rewritten. Pages upon pages of words, discarded. In spite of much prayer and additional study, that lesson rebutted every effort. The day Rachel called, I had adjusted the emphasis to focus on God’s covenant with Noah after the flood—the covenant with the sign of a “bow in the cloud” (Gen. 9:13). 

The other side of wonder

As I had studied the Noahic covenant earlier in the day, I was overwhelmed with who God is and what His word can do. Notice with whom God makes His covenant and for how long as you read the following verses.

The words opened my eyes to discover fresh truth. I found wonder in the breadth and length of this covenant—broad enough to encompass every living creature and the earth, long enough to endure for all future generations. It wasn’t that I didn’t know these things; rather, I had never felt the weightiness of them.

As the weight set in, I ventured to the other side of wonder, becoming aware of the faithfulness it would require for God to uphold a covenant this broad and wide despite the actions of mankind across time.

From that awareness, awe swelled as I pondered, Who is God that He can sustain this level of commitment? 

Then, in the quiet of my office, awe for our incomprehensible God overflowed into worship.

Followed by Rachel calling me outside and the visible evidence of the covenant on display. As if God whispered to the clouds, “Cue extended worship.”

From wonder to worship

As you read the words above, I hope you marveled at God, as well. And yet, I don’t want to overlook the progression. The process of intentional observation and discovery opens our minds to wonder; but, as adults, we can easily misdirect or quench wonder with practical explanations or other priorities. However, if we choose to step beyond wonder, the Holy Spirit will develop in us awareness of what God has done. Awareness then awakens the awe of who God is, and awe prepares our hearts and minds to worship. 

So allow me to close the way I opened: As you let down and relax this summer, keep your eyes open to evidence of God. You may have to persist in your efforts (think of my discarded pages), but it will be worth it. He wants you to be surprised by discovery, for you to wonder, yet be unsatisfied stopping there. This summer, venture to the other side of wonder and grow increasingly aware of who He is and the works He does. You might just enjoy a few unexpected opportunities to worship.

If you do, drop me a line or comment below on your wonder and worship opportunities. I would love to read them throughout the summer!

Finally, as summer approaches, I hope you will understand if I take a break through June and July to enjoy a little sun and fun with my family. I will begin sharing again in August. “See” you then!

Have a blessed and “wonder”-ful summer!

P.S. If you want to share the joy of wonder and worship with someone, send them this link and encourage them to launch the process of observing and discovering this summer!

©2026 Catherine L Hill. All rights reserved.

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