Amazed

“My Father is always at work to this very day, and I too am working. . . and He will show Him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed.” (John 5:17, 20)

Jesus makes two very clear and important declarations here.Â

One He and the Father are always working.Â

Two, they work so we would be amazed.

Go back and read the verses and the two declarations again. Seriously. Go ahead.

Now think about it. God and Jesus are always working. And they are working for our amazement. They do what they are doing – always – so we would be amazed by what they are doing.

Now. Ask yourself this: “When was the last time you were amazed at something God did?”

If it’s been a while, is that because God isn’t working? Or is it because you aren’t looking? Is it because He is tied up at the moment? Or is it because you are not expecting Him to work?

Geez.

If I am reading these verses in John correctly, God is always at work (along with His Son) and they are working so that I would be amazed by what they are doing. And if this is right, then my low amazement level isn’t God’s fault. It might just be because I am preoccupied with other things. I’m too busy. I’m in a bad mood. I feel as if God is after me (in a bad way) and not truly for me. Maybe it is because I am expecting fire to come down from heaven, when really He is working in the still, small ways all around me.

As I type this, it is 10:15 AM. If I really believed God was always at work. . .

I would be amazed that He kept my heart beating all night long.
I would be amazed that I didn’t kill one of my children before school.
I would be amazed that I had food in the pantry to eat for breakfast.
I would be amazed that I got to kiss my wife good-bye for the day.
I would be amazed that I can see the screen in front of my face.
I would be amazed that a church member would text me saying they are praying for me.
I would be amazed that I was able to walk 3.5 miles.
I would be amazed that I have air in my lungs.
I would be amazed that I don’t have COVID-19 yet.
I would be amazed that the Spirit revealed things to me from His Word.
I would be amazed that my children have been at school for 4 days without a COVID outbreak.
I would be amazed that I get paid to study and prepare and preach the Word.
I would be amazed that there is a breeze outside that feels like Fall.
I would be amazed that my dog brings my family so much joy.
I would be amazed I have chicken defrosting that I get to grill tonight.
I would be amazed that I have a lunch scheduled with a pastor friend who makes me a better Jesus follower.
I would be amazed that coffee tastes so doggone good.
I would be amazed at the birds I hear singing right now. Birds that God takes care of.
I would be amazed that I have running water, toilets that flush, and an AC unit that does what I tell it to do.

You get the idea.

If I really believed God and Jesus were always at work, then I would spend more time in amazement.

What about you? What is amazing you today?