Spiritual Practice: Awe & Wonder
Sometimes it's the stars—bright and sharp against the night sky, unbothered by everything that keeps us busy. Sometimes it’s the delicate fingers of a newborn, or the hush that falls over a place right after a snowfall. Other times, it’s the sound of a favorite hymn echoing through a sanctuary when you weren’t expecting it.
Awe catches us off guard like that. Wonder slows us down and turns our attention upward. And when we lean into it—on purpose, with open hearts—we find that awe is more than a passing feeling. It’s a spiritual practice.
What Is the Spiritual Practice of Awe & Wonder?
We don’t always think of awe as something to practice, but Scripture points to it again and again. It’s the response of God’s people when they witness His power, hear His voice, or encounter His presence.
Awe is reverence. It puts us in our proper place—small, but not insignificant. Wonder is holy curiosity. It opens our hearts to joy, attentiveness, and worship.
Together, awe and wonder reawaken our spiritual senses. They help us see what we’d otherwise overlook: God’s majesty in creation. His mercy in our ordinary days. His presence, steady and near.
Why Awe Matters
Our culture doesn’t make much room for awe. We’re inundated with information, speed, and distraction. When everything is urgent, very little feels sacred.
But God created us to marvel—to pause and say, “This is beyond me, and I’m thankful.” The Psalms are full of awe-struck language: “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1), and “Come and see what God has done… how awesome His works in man’s behalf!” (Psalm 66:5, NIV).
Awe deepens our worship. It anchors our trust. It reminds us that God is not small—and neither is His goodness.
How to Practice Awe & Wonder
You can’t force awe. But you can create space for it. This isn’t about chasing goosebumps—it’s about noticing God again.
Some ways to practice:
Read a Psalm aloud and pause where your heart stirs.
Sit outside and take in the sky, the trees, the light, without agenda.
Revisit a familiar Bible story and ask, “What amazes me here?”
In worship, reflect on who you’re singing to—not just what you’re singing.
Let a child’s perspective or a moment of beauty interrupt your routine.
These practices are simple. But they make room for the Spirit to draw us into wonder.
Awe in the Life of Jesus
Jesus inspired awe wherever He went. Crowds were amazed at His teaching (Mark 1:22), His healing (Matthew 9:33), His authority (Luke 4:36).
But He also modeled wonder and reverence—lifting His eyes in gratitude, pulling away to be with the Father, and inviting children, the ones most full of wonder, to come to Him. Awe wasn’t a performance. It was the natural response of those who saw Him for who He truly was.
It still is.
Final Thoughts
Awe and wonder won’t solve your problems. But they will reset your perspective, revive your joy, and help you remember that you’re held.
When life becomes dry or demanding, awe makes space to see God again. Not because He left—but because we slowed down long enough to look.
Reflection Question
When was the last time you felt a deep sense of awe before God? What helped open your heart to wonder?
Prayer
God of glory, awaken my heart again. Help me to see Your beauty, Your majesty, Your mercy with fresh eyes. In the midst of routines, remind me of the wonder of Your presence. Let me live today in reverence and joyful trust. Amen.
