A couple of years back my family went to Universal Park, Orlando. We hopped on ‘The Mummy’ ride. Just a heads up: when the list of disclaimers & warnings is about six feet long you just might want to think hard about jumping on. When we read all the ‘if you’ list, it became evident that unless you were ready to enter a triathlon or qualify for the Olympics you might not want to even think about riding this. But, of course, we just goofily plopped down as if we were ready to be on NASA’s next mission.
Seconds after we got on, the mayhem commenced. “The Mummy” took control of our car & began to sling us around like a rag doll. I was certain that whatever brains I might posses were about to fly out my ear. I began to silently pray that I wouldn’t share my breakfast with all those around me. As I was praying, I heard my son next to me pleading for the mercies of heaven! After the hour & half ride, I assessed that I had lived through several car accidents where my vehicles were totaled & it hurt less. Now, call me stupid, but I never expected to have my spleen slung through my forehead when I boarded the ride. Lesson learned!
Life is full of things ‘unexpected.’ The other day I got a check in the mail I wasn’t expecting. Nice. I also got several cards & emails this past couple of weeks that were nice…and unexpected. Sometimes we turn a corner & see a ‘rainbow’ of God & it reminds us of His regular, unexpected blessings.
Of course there are those other kinds of unexpected things; the kind that just knock you for a loop: the call from the doctor or family with heavy news, the bad results from a test, the car’s on the blitz, a family member dies, a loved one walks away, a friend moves, the termination notice….No matter how much we are on guard, there will always be blows to the gut that knock our breath out. If you are a Christian, here’s a reminder from God’s word:
"Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world." I Peter 12-13
There is another reminder to those who are simply trying to muddle through life apart from God: we’re not in control. God alone sees the future, and frankly, only He knows what it holds. There will come a time, soon, when this world will wind down. If we don’t know Him, here’s another unexpected surprise:
"The day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment." II Pet. 3:10
For my family, this week has been a roller coaster ride rivaling anything Universal could match. Thankfully, amidst all the ‘unexpected’s I’m thankful I can fully expect God will hold us. I also know His goodness is beyond anything we could ever expect. Expect the unexpected.
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Dave Jackson-Campus Minister djackson@absc.org
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