This holy week I’ve been thinking a lot about how God has this knack for surprising us. He gives us whispers about his coming, but he doesn’t usually spell out the itinerary for us, like the exact whens and wheres and hows.
This is tricky for planners like me. I want to know how it’s all going to play out. I like to pretend that’s so I can be prepared, but at some level, it’s because I like to think I have some measure of control.
The truth is, this habit of God’s to surprise us is precisely what I need. Because how do you build faith if you have the entire roadmap laid out for you? Besides, I’m pretty sure that if God gave me the whole picture in advance, I’d curl up in a fetal position and never get out of bed. I’m only brave enough for one step at a time.
On Palm Sunday, Jesus fulfilled those ancient whispers about his entry into Jerusalem. But he didn’t come the way the people expected. He didn’t come like a king, on a white horse. He didn’t come with a sword, surrounded by a fierce army. Instead, he came humbly, on a donkey.
Jesus comes. He always comes. But he doesn’t always come in the way we expect.
Shortly before his death, Jesus said he would rebuild the Temple in a mere three days. The people were incredulous—how could he do such a massive construction project in such a short time? But sure enough, three days after his crucifixion, the temple of his body was raised to life again.
Jesus comes. He always comes. But he doesn’t always come in the way we expect.
This Easter, I want to crack my heart open to God’s surprises. I want to follow the clues about his coming; I want to listen for the whispers. But I don’t want to be so stuck in the way I imagine his arrival that I miss him when he comes. I want to be ready for him, even when the way he comes is different from what I’d choose, what I’d expect, what I’d plan.
I don’t know what you’re facing right now, but I have a hunch that you, too, are longing for Jesus to come. Longing for him to show up in your pain and your doubt and your confusion. Longing for him to move your stone away. Longing for him to bring life out of death.
Jesus comes. He always comes. May we be ready for him, even when he doesn’t come in the way we expect.
Amen, Stephanie. Your vulnerability adds depth to the kingdom.
Thanks, Linda! You’re a gift to Daniel and me.
This is just what I needed to read this morning. Thank you! Happy Easter 🙂
Thanks, Katie! Easter blessings to you too!
This is what I wrote in my journal this morning (before I read this post): We so often have trouble getting beyond what we expect to happen to see what God can and will do in our lives. I think God is trying to tell me something.
So true! We may not have been together this Easter, but our minds were in the same spot!
Yes, as I pray for Him to come and work powerfully in my situation, I don’t want to miss His coming because I expected something different. Thanks so much, Stephanie. A good reminder and an encouragement for me to keep praying and hoping despite how things look.
May you experience Him in a powerful way soon, Kristen!