Experiencing the Wonder of It All: From Eden to Every Day

How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Psalm 104:24

Eden:  Experiencing the First Sense of Wonder

Have you ever thought about how Adam and Eve must have experienced the wonder of God’s creation as they explored the Garden of Eden? Wandering amidst the lush vegetation, did they touch every plant? Created with superior intellect, Adam and Eve could identify the subtle shades of color, size, and makeup of each individual leaf and flower. Did they delight in herds of animals and flocks of birds? I imagine their pure enjoyment of Eden’s beauty pleased the God who had blessed them with their sense of wonder. Although we live far from the perfection of paradise, God’s grace allows us to experience the wonder of nature, creativity, and His love. 

In the Beginning, God Created

In the beginning, God created the earth with tender care, blessed it with growth, and declared it good. How fascinated Eve must have been with Eden’s variety of flowers. Did she stand among them, close her eyes, inhale deeply, and cherish each fragrant blossom? Their scents were her perfume. Was she delighted by the softness of rose petals? Did a stream or waterfall sound like music? Did she sing daily with the birds?

How much time did the couple spend watching deer frolic or a majestic lion survey the land in peace? If you’ve watched a wild animal or a pet at leisure, you know seconds become minutes, captivated by their actions. How glorious it will be when the earth is restored, and we can communicate with animals as Adam and Eve did.

The Wonder of Creativity

Despite the state of the world, God hasn’t left us without a sense of wonder. We’re awed and speechless at sites such as the Grand Canyon, the Amazon, or the ocean. Even now, we glimpse the beauty of heaven. Through art, we celebrate God’s creation. Hymn writers turn encounters into “All Things Bright and Beautiful” or “This is My Father’s World.” Lyrics like “The Wonder of It All” and “It Took a Miracle” express our response to God’s love. Nature inspires songs and poetry. Artists chisel, sculpt, paint, photograph, and film lasting impressions of God’s world.

Creating with All Our Might

God blesses writers with a love for words, which we use to describe the wonder of His creation. Through the various forms of art, we can share glimpses of the extraordinary beauty that God intended for us to experience and enjoy. By investing our skills and talents fully—as God crafted every detail in creation—we honor Him and fulfill our purpose to create and inspire wonder in others (Ecclesiastes 9:10; Colossians 3:23).

Cultivating Wonder in Everyday Life

It’s easy to overlook the beauty and complexity of God’s creation while absorbed in our daily routines. The busier I become, the more I cherish moments of awe. A walk in an arboretum or spending time at the ocean often satisfies my desire to reconnect with God’s creation. These breaks, whether short snatches of time or longer stretches help me to truly embrace this central message—that God created the world to inspire our sense of wonder.

Here are three ways we can experience the wonder of nature, creativity, and His love.

1. Cultivate wonder for God’s creation. By spending time in nature and practicing gratitude, we learn to notice daily gifts. Share your wonder with family and friends by describing what delights you in nature. (Psalm 104:24 NIV)
2. Express appreciation creatively. Use art to enrich your experiences. Express your appreciation through writing, music, art, or any creative form and share it as an enduring tribute to God’s glory. (Exodus 35:35 NIV)
3. Dedicate your talents to show God’s love. Our talents let us serve God by helping others. Service demonstrates God’s love in tangible ways and pleases Him. (1 Peter 4:10 NIV)

The True Wonder

Even the greatest awe we feel for God’s created world reminds us of His deeper intention—to show us His boundless love through grace. Let’s commit to living with gratitude and wonder, testifying to God’s glory through creativity and service. This is the true wonder of it all.