Surprise!!

With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.But recall those earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings. . .and you cheerfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you yourselves possessed something better and more lasting.

Mark 4:30-32

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But recall those earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings. . .and you cheerfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you yourselves possessed something better and more lasting.

excerpts from Hebrews 10:32-34

Think about a time where you expected one result and you got a completely different result! When Jason and I were dating, I was at his house one day and we heard a car door shut. We were expecting his roommate to come home so we both looked out the window to see my car being driven away by robbers. We were expecting to see his roommate and instead witnessed a crime. Ever had that shocking feeling when you can’t believe your eyes?

Maybe you have received a gift you weren’t expecting. In this picture, Joy Kate had just received a gift that she was told that she was NOT going to get. Imagine her shock!

Maybe you’ve gone to the doctor expecting to here one report and instead they told you something completely different about your health and now you have to process the news (good or bad).

I see a theme of surprise in today’s lectionary readings. No one expected something so great to come from a teeny tiny seed. Early Christians did not expect to find joy or peace when they endured struggle. They may have expected to be worn down, but instead they found hope in the message of Jesus Christ. Sometimes we need to be surprised or shocked. One day we look at Scripture and think it means one idea and the next time we look at the same scripture we realize it has a NEW meaning to us. Sometimes we expect our faith journey to take us in one direction and God leads us in a surprising path. Sometimes we think we know what God is calling us to and later realize it is completely different. My challenge to you today is to allow God to work through the surprises!! Allow the things that shock you to be God’s way of speaking to you in fresh ways!