Take the Plunge Into a World of Wonder

During our vacation in January, Mary Jo and I availed ourselves of the opportunity to do some snorkeling on the reef in Cozumel, Mexico. After adjusting to the fins, the mask, and the snorkel, I put my face in the water and beheld another world. What I saw brought me to a whole new level of awareness and attention, for it was a world that was filled with contrasting colors from dull white sand to florescent yellows, purples, oranges, and reds--a world in constant motion with the ebb and flow of life.

I’d raise my head out of the water and be back in my usual space, but once I put my head back down in the water I’d be in a virtual wonderland of mystery, beauty, and peace.

Lent has come upon us quickly this year. We will observe the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, February 9th. In many ways Lent is like snorkeling. The season of Lent is an opportunity for us to rise to a new level of awareness and attention.

Often this has been interpreted as, “It’s time for you to look hard at the crud in your life, repent, and do better!” Certainly that is part of the Lenten discipline. It is a time for us to consider carefully our shortcomings and work to do better. But this Lent, I have an additional challenge for you to go along with the usual Lenten work.

The predominant feelings I had when I was snorkeling on that reef were wonder and awe. Often we become so accustomed to the world around us that these two feelings become numb. Yet look around you — really look! On a frigid February night, look up and see Orion twinkling in the sky and be filled with wonder. When the snow falls, take time to watch the flakes float down upon wisps of air, dancing to the ground. If you listen carefully and attentively enough you can hear the snow fall, too. Be filled with awe in the knowledge that of the millions and billions of snowflakes no two are exactly alike.

Even more important, be extra attentive to the ones you love. Notice their eyes, their hair, the way they touch you physically and emotionally. Be awed and mystified by the wonder of Love and how it plays so sweetly in your life.

We all live such busy lives in our community. Perhaps the greatest sin we share is the one where we fail to notice so much beauty and love around us because we are in too much of a hurry to get here or there and do this or that task. Take a moment . . . slow down . . . look around at the wondrous world that God has given us.

We don’t need a snorkel and mask to live in a world filled with wonder and awe — we are already there! This Lent, let your discipline be one of intentional awareness and attention. Be open to accept the gifts of awe and wonder at the beauty of God’s creation that surrounds you every day in nature and the people who love you. In the midst of such wonderful gifts, be mind full and spirit filled with the Love that God has lavished on you.

Joel t