When God Surprises

John 20:2 – [Mary Magdalene] ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, "They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!" (NLT)

She knew what she was doing; I had no idea.

My wife and I — along with about one hundred other guests — sat under the large tent at our daughter's wedding reception. Only the wedding had taken place four months earlier, courtesy of COVID-19.

After a nice catered meal, the time arrived for our daughter and our son-in-law to have their "first" dance as a married couple. They slow danced for a few minutes, then suddenly broke out into a much faster move. Knowing my daughter and her shenanigans, this didn't surprise me. I watched as she twisted around, rubbing her stomach in the process. Strange moves, I thought. I then noticed my son-in-law struggling to open a bag. I wondered what they'd bring out next. I soon found out: diapers.

I remained clueless until my wife hollered and began crying. Oh, she's pregnant, I surmised. We knew that they had planned to begin a family right away, and obviously, it worked. Grandchild number five — "Baby H" for the moment.

On the day of resurrection, Mary was also surprised, along with the disciples. Although Jesus had told them that He would rise from the dead three days after His death, they obviously didn't get it. Why else would Mary tell the other disciples that someone had stolen Jesus' body?

What was a surprise to the guests at the reception was no surprise to my daughter and son-in-law. They had known all along. And what surprised Mary and the disciples was no surprise to God. He had planned the resurrection of His Son from before the foundation of the world.

God's "surprises" often come because we box Him up, thinking that He can act only in certain ways. And to a degree, that's true. He can only operate in accordance with His nature, which is holy. But many options reside within those confines.

While God's plans might surprise us, they don't surprise Him. He knows the plans that He has for us. They are good, and they will take us to abundant life. This doesn't mean hard times and severe trials won't inhabit the mix, but the result will constitute good for us and, more importantly, for God's kingdom.

Knowing that God has a plan also reminds us of His sovereignty, which puts us in a comfort zone encapsulated by peace. Fate does not govern our lives — or the world. God does. Believing that, we can enjoy whatever journey God takes us on, even if it does surprise us.

When God's plan takes you by surprise, remember that it's not a surprise to God.

Prayer: Father, help us to remember that what surprises us doesn't surprise You. Amen.

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About the author:

Martin Wiles <mandmwiles@gmail.com>
Greenwood, South Carolina, USA
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