WONDERSTRUCK: A Review

A review of Margaret Feinberg's Wonderstruck.

From Margaret Feinberg.com

But, first, a confession:

It's only recently, the past 3 years or so, that I've started reading Bible study or life application books by Christian authors. I love reading the challenging and thought-provoking works by C. S. Lewis, Jonathan Edwards, and other giants of the Christian literary world; but, I have to admit, I'm a bit of a book snob. I pride myself on being a reader of classic literature and the like. I'm not sure why, but I had it in my mind that Christian authors and their works would be cheesy and "self-help-y." So, I continued my daily ritual of reading and studying the Bible, sometimes with a Warren Wiersbe commentary, but no other supplemental materials.

However, in recent years (my husband has been happy to discover), I've also learned to admit when I'm wrong and when to climb off my high horse. 

Joining a small group Bible study at church, as well as, participating in my city's local Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) changed my perspective and my attitude. Hearing women and friends I respect discuss the Christian books and authors they were reading, intrigued me, and I certainly didn't want to be left out. My favorites thus far are Francis Chan's Crazy Love and Forgotten God, Fresh Air by Chris Hodges, The God I Never Knew by Robert Morris, and Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers. Some of these I read on my own and some were part of a group study, but all were equally enjoyable although different in writing style and approach. 

A few weeks ago, the women in our couples small group decided to get together and do a short study before the Fusion small group semester began at our church. We chose to read Wonderstruck by Margaret Feinberg, and I think I can speak for all of us when I say what an incredible experience this read and study has proved to be. 

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For me, Wonderstruck reiterates the importance, the necessity of Psalm 46:10 - to "Be still and know that [He] is God." But, it's not only about knowing that He is God; it's about being made aware of, reveling in, and being grateful for the nearness of God in our everyday lives. The busyness of our present lives and the culture of instant gratification in which we live, prevent many of us, myself included, from stopping to smell the roses or even noticing that they exist for that matter. How does one become wonderstruck? According to Feinberg, it's being in awe of God and the revelation of His glory through the wonders of His creation, rest and restoration, prayer, friendship, forgiveness, and gratitude. Through scripture references, personal confessions, and stories/examples from friends and family, she reveals it's a daily attitude of divine expectation and sense of being wonderstruck that allow us to live fully abundant lives in Christ. She also makes the following claim: "The wonder of God is that moment of spiritual awakening that makes us curious to know God more" (5). I have found that to be true in my own life. When I live with my eyes open and with a heavenly focus, everything from witnessing a spectacular sunset to feeling my little boy's fuzzy head resting against my cheek inspires me to seek out and draw close to the God who created and purposed such wonderful things. 

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I finished Wonderstruck this morning and was sad to reach the last page. However, it won't be the only time I read this book. In the words of C. S. Lewis, "I can't imagine a man really enjoying a book and reading it only once." With that said, I'll come back to the pages of Wonderstruck. Until then, I'm taking the challenge listed in the back of the book to participate in 30 Days of Wonder, and I'm beginning today because I relish the opportunity to apply what I've learned over the past couple weeks. Here's to living a life wonderstruck.