We were surprised, alright. For years, my husband and I had kept our eyes peeled for big horn sheep whenever we were in a promising rocky area, but we were perpetually disappointed. Then suddenly, yesterday, while driving along, one appeared! We were so excited! My husband screeched to a stop and quickly grabbed the camera as this beautiful creature of God with huge curvy horns posed for a photo shot.
I recalled the sermon the pastor preached just that morning -- "A Divine Surprise," challenging us to look for a divine surprise, whether big or small. Was this small? Perhaps. It was definitely a reminder that God often works in "surprises," not answering prayers when we wish, but in His timing.
In that same message, the pastor told the story of a recent airline trip when he asked for a first class upgrade, but was told no first class seats were available. As he strode along the airport hallway during his 3-hour layover time, he noticed another gate with a flight to his destination which was leaving in 5 minutes. Even though it seemed improbable, he flew off a few minutes later, firmly ensconced in his first class seat.
I was struck by a couple of things in that story. First, he asked for an upgrade. How many times have I flown, wishing for a first class seat but meekly heading toward the back of the plane and taking a seat in the middle of coach -- I hadn't even asked! Jesus tells us to ask, to seek, to knock, and that means more than just saving our souls -- that's just the beginning. We have not, because we ask not. But we're often too scared; too intimidated to ask, to hope, to believe.
We need to ask for the upgrade.
I love the scene from the movie "The Notebook" when Noah asks Allie, "What do YOU want? Forget what I want, forget what your parents want, forget what your fiance wants -- what do YOU want? What do you WANT?
So I ask you - what do YOU want? Perhaps for years you've acquiesced to what your parents or other people have told you to do -- and that became what you wanted. Let me tell you, as the saying goes, "I've been there, done that, got the T-shirt." It's much better since I've decided what I want.
Secondly, we need to expect an answer, a surprise. The pastor was on the lookout, eyes peeled for other possibilities when he glimpsed the different departing flight. Again, I've walked along airplane concourses with no thought of other possibilities. I've walked thoughtlessly along life's corridors as well. What have I missed when I'm not expecting anything more than what I already have?
There are times in our lives when we want more, but are afraid of being rejected or disappointed, saying, "What if it doesn't happen?" Interestingly enough, we usually don't even answer that question; we just get frozen. By default, we choose the more safe, but fearful way of limited living; always longing, always wanting, but mostly just complaining about our lot in life. We build walls of protection around us, trying to stave off disappointment, rejection or despair.
However, the same wall we erect for protection also keeps out the wonderful things. We live a safe but mediocre life, without risking being all God has made us to be. When we start to dismantle that wall, aaahh... that's when we'll uncover the passion, the excitement, the joy. The healthy self experiences and expresses the full range of living life; a time to mourn, a time to live, a time for sadness, a time for joy.
When we ask for what we want, we don't have to BEG - but when we do Believe and Expect, then we Get those divine surprises, big or small.
We had a wonderful experience yesterday -- we've got pictures to prove it -- and I loved being surprised by God.
I recalled the sermon the pastor preached just that morning -- "A Divine Surprise," challenging us to look for a divine surprise, whether big or small. Was this small? Perhaps. It was definitely a reminder that God often works in "surprises," not answering prayers when we wish, but in His timing.
In that same message, the pastor told the story of a recent airline trip when he asked for a first class upgrade, but was told no first class seats were available. As he strode along the airport hallway during his 3-hour layover time, he noticed another gate with a flight to his destination which was leaving in 5 minutes. Even though it seemed improbable, he flew off a few minutes later, firmly ensconced in his first class seat.
I was struck by a couple of things in that story. First, he asked for an upgrade. How many times have I flown, wishing for a first class seat but meekly heading toward the back of the plane and taking a seat in the middle of coach -- I hadn't even asked! Jesus tells us to ask, to seek, to knock, and that means more than just saving our souls -- that's just the beginning. We have not, because we ask not. But we're often too scared; too intimidated to ask, to hope, to believe.
We need to ask for the upgrade.
I love the scene from the movie "The Notebook" when Noah asks Allie, "What do YOU want? Forget what I want, forget what your parents want, forget what your fiance wants -- what do YOU want? What do you WANT?
So I ask you - what do YOU want? Perhaps for years you've acquiesced to what your parents or other people have told you to do -- and that became what you wanted. Let me tell you, as the saying goes, "I've been there, done that, got the T-shirt." It's much better since I've decided what I want.
Secondly, we need to expect an answer, a surprise. The pastor was on the lookout, eyes peeled for other possibilities when he glimpsed the different departing flight. Again, I've walked along airplane concourses with no thought of other possibilities. I've walked thoughtlessly along life's corridors as well. What have I missed when I'm not expecting anything more than what I already have?
There are times in our lives when we want more, but are afraid of being rejected or disappointed, saying, "What if it doesn't happen?" Interestingly enough, we usually don't even answer that question; we just get frozen. By default, we choose the more safe, but fearful way of limited living; always longing, always wanting, but mostly just complaining about our lot in life. We build walls of protection around us, trying to stave off disappointment, rejection or despair.
However, the same wall we erect for protection also keeps out the wonderful things. We live a safe but mediocre life, without risking being all God has made us to be. When we start to dismantle that wall, aaahh... that's when we'll uncover the passion, the excitement, the joy. The healthy self experiences and expresses the full range of living life; a time to mourn, a time to live, a time for sadness, a time for joy.
When we ask for what we want, we don't have to BEG - but when we do Believe and Expect, then we Get those divine surprises, big or small.
We had a wonderful experience yesterday -- we've got pictures to prove it -- and I loved being surprised by God.
No comments:
Post a Comment