Surprise!

Ever found yourself in the middle of a situation that you never thought possible? Maybe it is a great thing and you feel ‘lucky’ that it happened to you. Or, more likely, it is some sad or difficult development that blindsided you.

If you are a planner like me, you have a preferred path, goals set, and preparations made to achieve those things. It is good to plan and prepare. I love the old saying, “Those who aim at nothing, hit it every time!”  The surest way to live aimlessly is to drift with the currents.

 There are those things we think could be possible, but that we hope never happen to us. We purchase insurance to repair our vehicles in the event of an accident but we hope never to make a claim. I know injuries are possible in various situations and I take precautions to make them less likely. That’s just common sense. But …

There are always unforeseen things that come our way, things that change everything – like divorce, chronic illness, career loss, a relationship that breaks down without explanation, natural disaster, and even spiritual crises.  It’s not always the awful, terrible.  Good things can disrupt our lives too – an unexpected promotion, an opportunity in business, conceiving a child, the discovery of love, or spiritual awakening!

Christian, through it all the critical choice is faith –
“Lord God, steady me on my way, keep me faithful and true!” 

In the times that test us with sorrow, without a renewal of faith we may well turn into bitter and miserable people, full of self-pity.
In times of great blessing, without grounded faith we may grow apathetic about the things of God, feeling that we have life in our grasp, under control.

I am a great believer in what are called ‘spiritual disciplines,’ things like regular church attendance, service, generosity, prayer and meditation, and regular Scripture intake. We do not do these things because they will make God love us more, nor are they a way to eliminate every surprise along the way.  Regular disciplines of the Spirit ground us, build strength of character, and create channels for the Holy Spirit to flow into our life.

Jesus told a story to illustrate the importance of building a solid foundation. “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”  (Matthew 7)

Surprises will come. That’s life! In spite our best preparations we will deal with unforeseen circumstances. Build a foundation that will hold up in those days.

In the book of James, the Spirit urges us to greater faith. Let this word from the Word encourage you today, knowing that God is Lord of all. "Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. . . . The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results." (James 5:13, 16, NLT)  Join Job in this declaration of faith today. "But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside." (Job 23:10-11, NKJV)

Amen.