We can meet God in the unexpected. Sometimes we need a child to remind us of what’s hiding in plain sight. Five-year-old Katlin climbed into Granny Rice’s lap to listen to the Genesis story of creation. As Granny brought the written words to life with her expressive reading, the child became still and quiet.
Granny asked, “What do you think of it, dear?”
Little Katlin answered, “Oh, I love it. You never know what God will do next!”
Every Day Introduces Us to the Unexpected
The unexpected greets us daily. Perhaps, it is time for us to get used to finding God in the unexpected. In today’s unusual times, we can be certain of little. Sure, the political factions will be at one another’s throats; the news will tell us how bad things are, and no one knows when we will get through what we are going through. That, therefore, leaves many unknowns for us to negotiate. Various approaches to the unexpected surround us.
For example, some see the “end times” in everything that is happening. With great excitement, they anticipate their supernatural withdrawal to heavenly bliss out of the chaos of our times. On the other hand, others live under the shadow of extreme fear. The COVID-19 germs are out to get me! How do I know the next person I see won’t give me the virus? What happens if someone around me dies? What happens to those I love if I die?
The losses caused by the crisis of our day darken the lives of people throughout the land. The debt from yesterday’s expenses creates an impossible burden in light of today’s job loss. Keeping food on the table without money or credit requires resources beyond the grasp of many. Hopes and dreams lie broken in the reality of today’s despair.
More than a few are afraid of what tomorrow holds if the new normal doesn’t return us to the best of yesterday. Yesterday provided the comfort zone of the known. Today’s memories, however, conveniently gloss over uncomfortable aspects of actuality. Many people possess an exaggerated picture of life before COVID. Yet all know we cannot recapture what no longer exists.
Look for the Opportunities in the Unexpected
Few are brave enough to plan for an uncertain future. But some are innovators who use their imaginations to explore the ever-changing landscape of human reality. The horizons that are out of reach right now call them to transform their approaches to retool for new realities.
The Apostle Paul challenged the people in Colossae to “make the most of every opportunity” (Colossians 4:5). Why can’t we explore the opportunities before us? If we are living in the end times, and Jesus is about to return, how should we prepare for his coming? If the worst COVID can bring were to happen, are we prepared to die? Have we made the necessary arrangements? Have we written parting words to family and friends? Are our hearts right with God? Just worrying about what might happen if we get sick and die is not making the most of every opportunity. If tomorrow is not like yesterday, how should we get ready? Above all, wisdom challenges us to let go of the unlikely so we can accept a different future.
Make the Most of the Changes
Regardless of our approach, none of us has the script with all the blanks filled in to explain what will happen next. We do not own a crystal ball to interpret the keys to the future. But we can choose to turn from our fears of what might be so we can trust in the One who is, the One who will see us through whatever occurs. Just as every day brought changes in the genesis of life, not a single day ends without change. Change is inevitable. Let’s face the unknown in eager anticipation of being part of what God will do next. While we are waiting, let’s make the most of every opportunity this day brings our way.
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The Unexpected Is Knocking on Our Door
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Posted: May 19, 2020 by Harry Lucenay
We can meet God in the unexpected. Sometimes we need a child to remind us of what’s hiding in plain sight. Five-year-old Katlin climbed into Granny Rice’s lap to listen to the Genesis story of creation. As Granny brought the written words to life with her expressive reading, the child became still and quiet.
Granny asked, “What do you think of it, dear?”
Little Katlin answered, “Oh, I love it. You never know what God will do next!”
Every Day Introduces Us to the Unexpected
The unexpected greets us daily. Perhaps, it is time for us to get used to finding God in the unexpected. In today’s unusual times, we can be certain of little. Sure, the political factions will be at one another’s throats; the news will tell us how bad things are, and no one knows when we will get through what we are going through. That, therefore, leaves many unknowns for us to negotiate. Various approaches to the unexpected surround us.
For example, some see the “end times” in everything that is happening. With great excitement, they anticipate their supernatural withdrawal to heavenly bliss out of the chaos of our times. On the other hand, others live under the shadow of extreme fear. The COVID-19 germs are out to get me! How do I know the next person I see won’t give me the virus? What happens if someone around me dies? What happens to those I love if I die?
The losses caused by the crisis of our day darken the lives of people throughout the land. The debt from yesterday’s expenses creates an impossible burden in light of today’s job loss. Keeping food on the table without money or credit requires resources beyond the grasp of many. Hopes and dreams lie broken in the reality of today’s despair.
More than a few are afraid of what tomorrow holds if the new normal doesn’t return us to the best of yesterday. Yesterday provided the comfort zone of the known. Today’s memories, however, conveniently gloss over uncomfortable aspects of actuality. Many people possess an exaggerated picture of life before COVID. Yet all know we cannot recapture what no longer exists.
Look for the Opportunities in the Unexpected
Few are brave enough to plan for an uncertain future. But some are innovators who use their imaginations to explore the ever-changing landscape of human reality. The horizons that are out of reach right now call them to transform their approaches to retool for new realities.
The Apostle Paul challenged the people in Colossae to “make the most of every opportunity” (Colossians 4:5). Why can’t we explore the opportunities before us? If we are living in the end times, and Jesus is about to return, how should we prepare for his coming? If the worst COVID can bring were to happen, are we prepared to die? Have we made the necessary arrangements? Have we written parting words to family and friends? Are our hearts right with God? Just worrying about what might happen if we get sick and die is not making the most of every opportunity. If tomorrow is not like yesterday, how should we get ready? Above all, wisdom challenges us to let go of the unlikely so we can accept a different future.
Make the Most of the Changes
Regardless of our approach, none of us has the script with all the blanks filled in to explain what will happen next. We do not own a crystal ball to interpret the keys to the future. But we can choose to turn from our fears of what might be so we can trust in the One who is, the One who will see us through whatever occurs. Just as every day brought changes in the genesis of life, not a single day ends without change. Change is inevitable. Let’s face the unknown in eager anticipation of being part of what God will do next. While we are waiting, let’s make the most of every opportunity this day brings our way.
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Category: Ministry Helps Tags: change, COVID-19, normal, opportunity, unexpected