By Pastor Don Schatz
Expect the Unexpected
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“And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him.“
Luke 2:33 English Standard Version
In a somewhat remote spot, on a windswept Colorado hilltop, one finds a surprise. Rita the Rock Planter is there, hard at work. One wouldn’t expect to find a large wooden sculpture in such a spot. Perhaps a pronghorn antelope, deer or elk. Even a coyote. Nevertheless, the serendipitous discovery brings a smile to one’s face and a bit of wonder at such a surprise.
One might be reminded of the women on the first Easter morning. They went to where Jesus was buried, behind a large rock and Pilate’s own seal. They expected to find what one expects to find in such a tomb–a body. Surprise! First, the stone was rolled aside and the tomb open. Second, Jesus was not there. Third, a couple angels were there, very much alive. Fourth, the angels told the wondrous news that Jesus was alive. Surprise!
Years earlier, though Mary supposedly remembered what the angel told her about her son, and presumably Joseph remembered what the Lord revealed to him about Jesus in a dream, they were surprised. “And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him.”
The lesson for us? Well, I’m sure you can come up with many. May I suggest that today, we expect to be surprised yet again by the Lord? His gracious forgiveness still surprises me after all these years. His compassion still has the ability to take one by surprise. The movement of the Holy Spirit, whispering to our soul that we are God’s children will always bring a surprisingly wonderful peace to heart and mind. Though we know that God promises to work good for those who love him, is it still a pleasant surprise when it happens? Expect God to do the unexpected for you, in your life today. And even tomorrow!
Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado
