Radical Wonder

Radical Wonder.

"Radical" means:
-of or from the root or roots;
going to the foundation or source of something;
fundamental;
basic;
extreme;
thorough
-in Chemistry: a group of two or more atoms at acts as a single atom
and goes through a reaction unchanged, or is replaced by a single atom:
it is normally incapable of a single existence.
-in Math: the indicated root of a quantity or quantities
-in Botany: coming from the root

In my "1000 Gifts Devotional" for this morning,
Ann spoke of the radical wonder:
Romans 8:32
"He who did not spare His own Son,
but gave Him up for us all-
how will He not also, along with Him,
graciously give us all things."

This is the radical wonder that
we have just experienced in the incarnation of Christmas
and we celebrated yesterday in Epiphany
and we will remember in the days and weeks leading up to Easter:
God "gave us Jesus. Jesus! Gave Him up for us all". (1000 Gifts Devotion)

Ann says:
"The counting of all blessings is ultimately summed up in One.
The radical wonder of it stuns me happy,
hushes me still:
It's all Christ.
Every moment, every event, every happening.
It's all in Christ and in Christ we are always safe."

So, Christ is the radical wonder.
Christ is the root,
the foundation,
the source
of all these wonders of God's love.
The gift of Jesus is the radical wonder
that causes extreme, thorough change in our lives.

Just like a radical in chemistry,
when we are joined to Christ
we can go through a reaction-
any circumstance or situation-
unchanged, undisturbed, in peace,
because we are joined to Him.
We are, like the chemical radical,
normally incapable of a single existence,
because we are now in Christ Jesus
and in Him we have peace.

As a radical in math is the indicated root
of a quantity or quantities,
Jesus is the radical root wonder of
all the wonders of God's love.

Like the botanical radical,
these wonders of God's love
grow out of,
stem from,
have their source in
Christ Jesus.

Thank You, God, for the radical wonder of Jesus!

Thank You, Lord, for these wonders of Your love:
97. Sunday morning cinnamon rolls
98. singing in the shower
99. Margaret saying "I'll sit with you"
100. the construction setting for worship
101. hearing that God is the builder, not me
102. being "lost in wonder"
103. forgetting to join the church
104. a hug from sweet Tracy
105. coming home to Sunday dinner almost ready
106. time alone in the chapel during Margaret's piano lesson
107. a Sunday afternoon nap
108. Ashley's deep love for our children
109. a roomful of parents
110. watching Victor play the piano
111. the elusive green pocketbook
112. monopoly laughter

With gratitude,
Sally