When the Familiar Becomes Extraordinary
Over the next three months, I want to invite you to slow down with me. Life has a way of becoming routine. We get busy, distracted, and focused on the next thing. Before long, we stop noticing the beauty, joy, and wonder that God has placed all around us. This series is about rediscovering wonder—learning to see God with fresh eyes and finding His fingerprints in the ordinary moments of everyday life.
Principle to Live By:
Pay attention to God’s presence in the ordinary moments of life.
Scripture:
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”
—Psalm 19:1
Ever since my ninth-grade physical science class, I’ve been fascinated by the stars. I still remember learning the constellations and being amazed that people had been looking at those same patterns in the sky for thousands of years. To this day, one of the items on my bucket list is taking one of those star-gazing glamping trips at a national park where the night sky comes alive in a way most of us rarely experience.
But here’s what strikes me. How many nights do we walk outside and never look up?
The wonder is there. The stars are there. The vastness of God’s creation is hanging right above our heads. Yet most of the time we’re focused on what’s directly in front of us—the next appointment, the next task, the next problem that needs solving. We spend our lives staring at the sidewalk while missing the majesty above us.
I think that’s one reason David wrote Psalm 19. The heavens are constantly declaring the glory of God. Every sunrise, every sunset, every star-filled sky is pointing us toward the greatness of our Creator. The problem isn’t that God has stopped speaking. The problem is that we’ve stopped paying attention.
Whenever I take the time to look up, two things happen. First, I am reminded of how great God is. The same God who spoke galaxies into existence with a word is still ruling and reigning today. The second thing that happens is that I am reminded of how small I am. That may sound discouraging, but it’s actually incredibly freeing.
If God is big enough to create and sustain the universe, then He is certainly big enough to handle my biggest problem. If He can place the stars in their courses and keep the planets in motion, then He can manage the circumstances that keep me awake at night. The God who speaks worlds into existence is still speaking today—over our lives, our families, our fears, and our futures.
Wonder has a way of putting life back into perspective.
Maybe that’s why we need it so badly.
Practical Takeaways
Spend a few minutes outside this week and intentionally look up. Leave your phone behind and simply notice God’s creation.
When a problem feels overwhelming, remind yourself how big God is before focusing on how big the problem is.
Look for one “fingerprint of God” each day—something that reminds you of His creativity, goodness, or power.
Questions to Ponder
When was the last time I stopped long enough to look up?
What have I become so familiar with that I’ve stopped appreciating it?
How might my perspective change if I focused more on God’s greatness than on my current challenges?
