Pastoral Ponderings—Surprise!
“Meet me down here in Boardman,” Karol sez on the phone when I’m out in the back picking blackberries. I had already unloaded 3 boxes weighing about 200 lbs. each of one pergola from one store, but she was in another store finding what looked like a “better deal” that I just had to see to “help” decide on (some of you spousal types know what THAT means…”). So I had to reload those three very heavy boxes (one of which FELL APART in the process, so let’s rebuild a box now…) to return that one and drive 25 minutes to check out another—“Surprise!”
The “catio” addition to our place we’d talked about as maybe one day getting to, was coming to pass in the midst of my picking another gallon of blackberries to add to three more gallons we were planning to can that afternoon. Now I can’t complain too much, as it was my idea to “one day” install a catio—but the timing isn’t quite what I was hoping for!
Isn’t that often the way it is with God’s calling and blessing on our lives? “Surprise!” sez God—“I’ve got something for you better than you can imagine!” but God’s timing seems to be so inconvenient sometimes! Ever wonder what Moses HAD had planned for the day he saw that burning bush after he thought he had retired to the quiet life? So that day certainly didn’t turn out as planned, but we ended up with something so much better, that should be done by the time you come over for our Christmas open house.
When we live our lives in faith, open to what God has for us, the surprises God has for us can transform our lives. Had Moses not stopped for that burning bush, we likely would never have heard of him, but look what happened when he did! And don’t forget that neither Abraham nor Sarah, like Moses, were not spring chickens either when God greeted them with that ominous word “Surprise!”
What surprises might God still have up the sleave for you yet, if you’re willing to take the call? It will likely be inconvenient—but isn’t that the way surprises usually come?
Pastor Jim