THE SEVEN WONDERS

Having had the privilege of teaching in Bible Schools and Seminary in Europe, Asia, and the USA, this story really rang a bell. Sometimes when asking students to reply to a question for which both I, as the teacher, and the class itself anticipated that I was looking for a particular answer. So it was always refreshing to hear a student express their response from a whole new perspective.

A group of students was asked to list what they thought were the present “Seven Wonders of the World.” Though there were some disagreements, the following places received the most votes:

1. Egypt’s Great Pyramids
2. Taj Mahal
3. Grand Canyon
4. Panama Canal
5. Empire State Building
6. St. Peter’s Basilica
7. China’s Great Wall

While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student had not finished her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The girl replied, “Yes, a little. I couldn’t quite make up my mind because there were so many.” The teacher said, “Well, then, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help.”

The girl hesitated, then read, “I think the ‘Seven Wonders of the World’ are”:

1. To See
2. To Hear
3. To Touch
4. To Taste
5. To Feel
6. To Laugh
7. And to Love.

The room was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.

The things we overlook as simple and ordinary and that we take for granted are truly wondrous!

A gentle reminder: The most precious things in life cannot be built by hand or bought by man.

After reading over this list, I felt an urge to add what I feel are the Nine Wonders in a Christian believer’s life.

Love

Joy

Peace

Patience

Kindness

Goodness

Faithfulness

Gentleness

Self-Control.¹

These are not your ordinary virtues or ethical properties, but each is a gift from God through His Holy Spirit who transforms our love into different expressions. That means these wonders will never end being a wonder to even the most heartless skeptic. – Dr. Robert R Seyda