By Pastor Don Schatz

Surprise!

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link

Have you ever experienced something you never thought you would?  You didn’t really care if you did or not?  Perhaps it had never occurred to you even to think about it?  Like finding yourself in Yankee Stadium with your daughter and grandson, perhaps?  Life has a way of surprising us.  But we don’t always let it.

“You show me the path of life.  In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” 
Psalm 16:11. New Revised Standard Version.

Of course, there are more important things than watching a game in Yankee Stadium.  Yet even that can be a gift from God.  Our lives unfold under the watchful supervision of the Lord.  Our salvation in Jesus is surprise enough!  “God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.” (New Revised Standard Version).  Surprise!  I would never have thought!  But God does not close up his heart of surprises for us.  How wonderful, blissful and gracious is the Lord’s guiding hand in our life.  How much he loves surprising us with his blessings.

Out of fear or uncertainty we can assume that surprises are to be minimized.  Trusting others can let us down.  Being fearful is the same as being careful.  Taking risks is to be avoided.  

Unlike us, God surprised us with his love and gave his only-begotten Son for humankind.  He continues to surprise us with his companionship.  With the loving community of the Church.  With family and friends.  With serendipities small and large.  With opportunities to serve Him, to love and serve the neighbor.

Every day holds God’s surprises in the sun’s warmth, a songbird’s call, a hug, a cup of coffee, the company of his love.  Open your eyes today.  And your heart.  You will be surprised.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado.