Unexpected, Part 1

There are so many things in life that you can count on. The sun will rise (even if the clouds block it and you can't see it happening). The sun will set. The tides will rise and fall. Trees turn green with new life in the spring and fade into dormancy in the fall in vibrant colors that resemble fire blazing overhead. And for those of who choose to believe, you can always, without a doubt or question in your heart and mind (but who does that?!?), count on God to be faithful, unmoving, never shifting or quaking.

I'll be sharing more about what the word unexpected has meant to me this past year in a week or so but I wanted to start here today with a little preface, so, I began to look up some examples of unexpected in scripture and even did a google search just to see what popped up.

I love music. It's a language all its own and for the Believer, I wholeheartedly see how music is a connector to our creator. It can speak to our soul, give us words to our emotions, take us into the throne room of worship and open our hearts and minds to the depths of God's majesty. There are some amazingly talented and anointed songwriters in The Church. Thank the Lord for them and what they give to us! In my searching for unexpected, a song I hadn't heard from Hillsong United appeared and I can't stop listening.

Hillsong United, 2017 Songwriters: Joel Houston / Michael Guy Chislett Shadow Step lyrics © Capitol Christian Music Group

God is constant and yet we can't really know the depths of his wisdom, plans, purposes, or love. There is a definite element of of wonder as we look to God. We can't box him in or be so arrogant to think that we know all the details of of the inner-workings and thoughts of such a great God. There MUST be an element of the unexpected when we are talking about, seeking out, waiting on, our God. Even James, the half-brother of Jesus tells us,

James 4:13-17 (TPT) 13 Listen, those of you who are boasting, “Today or tomorrow we’ll go to another city and spend some time and go into business and make heaps of profit!” 14 But you don’t have a clue what tomorrow may bring. For your fleeting life is but a warm breath of air that is visible in the cold only for a moment and then vanishes! 15 Instead you should say, “Our tomorrows are in the Lord’s hands and if he is willing we will live life to its fullest and do this or that.” 16 But here you are, boasting in your ignorance, for to be presumptuous about what you’ll do tomorrow is evil! 17 So if you know of an opportunity to do the right thing today, yet you refrain from doing it, you’re guilty of sin.

The only guarantee we have is right now. So what do you do with your right now? Complain? Celebrate? Worry? Anticipate? Expect the unexpected?

In Christine Caine's latest book, Unexpected, she writes,

"When we expect instead of worry, then we can live with a heart full of hope. When we anticipate the best, instead of the worst, we can live faith-filled every day." (page 45)

What is your outlook like? Are you anticipating the best God has or are you expecting the worst outcome possible? Set your sights high, my friend! Fix your eyes on God and his heart! Don't box God in or chain him to what YOU think is best or right. Let him deliver the unexpected in ways that you can't even begin to imagine! Trust him. Let your faith grow. Take that step that you've put off taking because you've allowed fear to decide.

You are stronger than you know because God has you in the palm of his hand and will empower you through the Holy Spirit to not just attempt but to accomplish his plan for your life. Let him. Go for the unexpected.