Unexpected
Life can sometimes throw you a curve ball. For those readers who may not be Base Ball aficionados, a curve ball is one that looks like it’s headed straight for the strike zone but in the last instant it veers away. The intent of the pitcher throwing said curve ball is to trick the batter into swinging at a ball he or she will likely miss. As the batter swings, with a great deal of force, there is that surprising moment when the bat comes around and does not make contact with the ball at all.
I’m not sure if you’ve ever felt like that batter, waiting for the pitch to come, wondering if it will be a fast ball, a knuckle ball, or a curve ball, trying to be prepared for all of them at once, and swinging wildly to hit only air. I guess most of us, if we’re honest, struggle with those things we cannot control and strive to be prepared for varied unknowns and multiple contingencies. It can be wearying, if not paralyzing.
The good news is we, who believe Christ, live by faith and not by sight. We do not depend on knowledge or circumstances to define our place. We lean on the everlasting arms of our sovereign, gracious King and depend on His truth to define who we are in His family and in His Kingdom. And from this place of security, we are charmed at the unexpected ways He reveals Himself along the way. As the world experiences insecurity and alarm during unexpected events, we, who are marked by His love, remain settled in our destiny, steadfast in our faith and eager to experience His self-disclosure as we press in to know Him more fully, love Him more deeply and obey Him more radically.
He his God almighty, and He is able to do absolutely anything. And, like a child, I am in awe of His power. But, it is the way He works all things together that speaks to my heart about who He is. “Show me your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.” (Psalm 25:4 NKJV) He will be merciful when I think there should be restitution. He will be gracious when I think cunning is required. He will be obvious when I think subtlety would be more diplomatic. In every instance, I’m more and more captivated by who He really is.
God is all together trustworthy, and totally unpredictable. This is not because He is capricious. On the contrary, it is because He is unfathomable. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9 NKJV)
This unsearchable, unknowable God, has chosen to be known. This glorious mystery, made known to us in Christ, is worth a life-time of embracing the unexpected. As life unfolds for you, dear reader, look eagerly for His appearing. I can almost guarantee He will surprise you. Yes, you will have to adjust. Yes, you will have to reprioritize, and sometimes even re-catagorize. But hang in and hang on: He’s worth it.
Until next week, beloved, embrace His unexpected ways and watch the glorious unfolding.