How to Experience God’s Wonder by Exploring Mysteries

Whitney Hopler Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
Updated Jan 12, 2024

Mysteries can lead you to God’s wonder if you allow them to expand your perspective. You may be both attracted to mysteries and repelled by them. It can be intriguing to encounter mysteries you don’t understand and want to learn more about, yet it can also be scary or threatening to deal with the unknown. People sometimes ignore mysteries rather than risk the mess of having them challenge their worldviews. However, if you approach mysteries with courage, they can point you toward God’s wonder. Mysteries call you to step out of your comfort zone and dance with your doubts and faith toward what may be something wonderful!

So, don’t hesitate to explore the mysteries that spark your curiosity – whether they’re public events (like reports of miracles or UFO appearances) or personal experiences (such as a possible sign from God or a dream about a loved one in heaven). Genuine and positive mysteries help you notice God’s messages and discover the wonder of his work. Mysteries can inspire you with awe for God, who is beyond all limits and the source of all wonder. You invite God to turn mysteries into miracles in your life when you approach them with faith.

Key Bible Verses about Mysteries

“Daniel replied, ‘No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries’…”. – Daniel 2:27-28

“No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.” – 1 Corinthians 2:7

“My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” – Colossians 2:2-3

“Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God...” – Romans 16:25-26

“He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment – to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.” – Ephesians 1:9-10

“In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.” – Ephesians 3:4-5

“The mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” – Colossians 1:26-27

“But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.” – Revelation 10:7

Tips to Help You Discover Wonder by Exploring Mysteries

You can welcome wonder into your life by opening your mind to mysteries. Use these tips to help you explore mysteries and discover wonder in the process:

Go beyond limits. Be willing to explore beyond the limits of what you know, what you understand, and what you think is possible. Let mysteries challenge you to expand your worldview, opening doors for you to discover something new and awe-inspiring about God.

Explore public mysteries. Let public mysteries – such as UFO sightings, reports of miracles, and crop circles – spark your curiosity to learn more about them. Don’t hesitate to discuss mysteries with others. Learn from each other’s perspectives as you all consider something mysterious that goes beyond your individual opinions. Pray about mysteries in the news, asking God to show you what he wants you to learn from them that can strengthen your faith.

Explore personal mysteries. God may sometimes send mysterious signs and wonders into your life to encourage you and strengthen your faith. For example, God may answer your prayer about something by sending you a message in a dream about it. You can interpret that dream message to discover its meaning with the Holy Spirit’s help. Whenever you experience a personal mystery that seems to be from God, don’t be afraid to prayerfully explore it.

Investigate mysteries wisely. Keep your mind open when you’re investigating mysteries, but also follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance to respond with wisdom. Guard yourself against deception by evaluating the mysteries you encounter according to the advice in 1 John 4:1-3: “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God…”.

Let mysteries from God strengthen your faith in him. The faith you express in response to mysteries will help you build a closer relationship with God, which will help you perceive more of the wonder of his work.

Learn more in my book Wake Up to Wonder about how exploring mysteries can lead you to God’s wonder.

Whitney Hopler is the author of the Wake Up to Wonder book and the Wake Up to Wonder blog, which help people thrive through experiencing awe. She leads the communications work at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Whitney has served as a writer, editor, and website developer for leading media organizations, including Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Army USA’s national publications, and Dotdash.com (where she produced a popular channel on angels and miracles). She has also written the young adult novel Dream Factory. Connect with Whitney on X/Twitter and on Facebook.