Eric Reece
John Newton is well known for his beloved hymn “Amazing Grace.”
He was also a gifted preacher and writer, who once said, “When I get to heaven, I shall see three wonders there. The first wonder will be to see many people there whom I did not expect to see. The second wonder will be to miss many people whom I did expect to see; and the third and greatest wonder of all, will be to find myself there.”
Do you ever give yourself time to wonder? Instead of worrying and stressing about all the troubles that are very real facing us. Do you allow yourself to wonder and let God speak to you during this time?
I remember the opportunity I had to be part of a leadership initiative entitled, “Courage to Serve.” Much of it was based on the work of Parker Palmer, an educator, poet and author.
Palmer’s work has been one of appreciation and encouragement for teachers. It takes courage to teach, to spend a lifetime giving of yourself to help others learn and grasp what people need to survive life. He believes the heart of teaching comes from within; teachers knowing who they are and personal integrity.
A Quaker, Palmer teaches the advantage of having times of silence. This is not a cowardly silence, but one to gain wisdom as we listen to the wisdom of others around us and listen to the voice within us. With so many folks shouting loudly today, a time of silence can help us reset. The words of the Psalmist tell us to, “Be still, and know I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
It was in the stillness – not the wind, earthquake or fire – that the voice of God came to Elijah and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
In the stillness, in the silence, Elijah had to stop and answer the existential question we all have to consider, “What are you doing here?”
Silence, stillness and wonder can help us answer the question.
In the silence, wonder invites us to be surprised and invites us to listen to the voice inside of us. Wonder allows us to be curious and amazed about possibilities that we didn't know existed. Wonder can help us get back on the right path.
In 1933, John Jacob Niles heard a young lady, Annie Morgan sing a folk song in Murphy, N.C., on the courthouse lawn. Her father was a traveling preacher and was holding one more revival service before moving on. The song, “I Wonder as I Wander,” was written down by Niles and became a favorite carol:
“I wonder as I wander out under the sky,
“How Jesus, the savior, had come for to die,
“For poor on'ry people like you and like I,
“I wonder as I wander out under the sky.”
Take some time to wonder.
Eric Reece is the faith columnist for The Graham Star. He is pastor of Robbinsville United Methodist Church and can be reached via email, ereece@wnccumc.net.