The word 'unexpected' has been in my heart a lot over the past month, so it was no surprise when this morning, in the context of a family situation I don't need to go into, I received an email titled 'The Unexpected'.
It was in Seattle that I had a dream which centred on this single word. Dreams of course are one of the normal ways God uses to speak to people. This particular dream stood out for its sheer oddness. I won't recount it, but suffice to say that the word 'Unexpected' featured in a positive, not negative way.
A few days later I was driving from LA to San Diego and listening to local radio stations. Probably I was praying, singing and remembering as I often do while driving my normal car (I consider all cars to be miniature, mobile prayer rooms). I thought, "Wouldn't it be funny and SO LIKE GOD if that word 'unexpected' was somehow confirmed on the radio?" No sooner had I thought it, than an advert came on air:
"We interrupt the expected to bring you ... the Unexpected!" [Next came the ad, which I can't remember, as I was so stunned and joyful and celebrating at that point. After which came this:] "We now return you to the Expected!"
The Expected. The Unexpected. And God.
So what's the message? Firstly, I think, to expect the unexpected with God. Our god is emphatically NOT a god of the status quo. He loves to break in, to surprise, and yes, to turn things completely upside down. If you're not into adventure yet, get used to it, because a time is coming and has probably arrived when the unexpected will become the norm. Yes, we must expect the unexpected. If that last sentence reads like a contradiction, pray this prayer right now:
Lord, show me the truth about what it means to follow you. If in some part of my life I am settling for the status quo, the ordinary, the expected, when you have something MUCH MUCH better, give me eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart to receive your purpose in its entirety. I repent of shrinking back. I repent of my unbelief. I receive the unexpected, the extraordinary and the new things you have for me today, right now in Jesus' name.
The expected, the mundane and the ordinary are not wrong. Much of life is like that, whether it's washing your underwear or brushing your teeth (though not at the same time; that would be both unexpected and unhygienic).
Yet the unexpected moments we have - the good, the bad and the ugly - are times when we need to engage our spirits with God's Spirit and ask "Father God, what are you doing right now?" Perhaps it's a family emergency. Perhaps it's a sudden opportunity. Perhaps it's the knowledge that someone you hardly know is sick. Perhaps it's the sudden gravel chips on your windscreen. Perhaps it's the flashing blue lights on the other side of the motorway. You get the idea.
(Can the unexpected actually come from Satan and not from God? Absolutely. The enemy's schemes are laid bare in Scripture: he comes "to steal, kill and destroy" (John 10). Surprise is undoubtedly one of his weapons. In the last week, I have known two unexpected events which I personally believe were demonically inspired. However, what is meant for evil, God intends for our good (Gen 50:20), which is why our response to nasty surprises can and must be one of joy and faith, not fear and anxiety. "Father, I would not have chosen this, but show me where you are in this situation" is a great attitude to have. He wants to turn every curse into a blessing for your life!)
I encourage you to watch out for the unexpected in your expected daily routine. At those moments, shoot up an arrow prayer from your heart and ask the Father what he's up to. Don't be surprised when you get an answer back. At the end of each day, review that day with the Holy Spirit. It may only take a couple of minutes. Ask him to reveal anything that jumps out at you as, well, unexpected, from your day and invite the Lord Jesus Christ to apply any lessons learnt to your heart and life, so that you can carry that blessing forward into the day that's yet to come.
It's a wonderful way to live. You can face problems with joy if you learn this lesson well.
