Due to recent events in my own life and in the lives of people I love, my mind keeps going back to a sermon I preached a few weeks ago. The title of the two-part sermon was “God’s Surprises.”

Using Abraham’s journey of faith with his son Isaac (Genesis 22), and Ananias’ surprising assignment from God (Acts 9:11-19), and some of Chuck Swindoll’s application points, I tried to address how we handle times when we are totally caught off guard by the events of our lives and the challenges God places (or allows to be placed) before us.

As I reflect on those thoughts, I share them here with hope that they may be useful for you as you try to make sense of what may be going on in your life.

First, surprises are always part of God’s leading. For Saul it was a light from heaven, marking a total life transformation. For Ananias it was the command to see Saul. For Abraham it was “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8) All he knew was that God wanted him to move. He went.

For you it may be life-changing decision that you must make. Or, it may be a decision that someone else has made or is about to make that dramatically affects you.

If you are waiting for God to fill in all the blank spaces in the picture, you’ll never take the first step. You must be prepared to trust His plan, knowing it will be full of surprises. Surprises are always a part of His leading.

Second, surprises always intensify our need for faith. When you encounter one of God’s surprises, your faith must intensify, otherwise you will run the opposite direction. There will be times when His plan will frighten you, His demands will intimidate you, and you will sometimes be disappointed. Like when He tells you to “Wait!” or when His answer is “No!” You’ll want to argue or bargain. When your faith takes over you will be able to respond, “I can do this. I trust You, Lord. I don’t understand everything, but I trust you completely. Let’s do it.”

God may have a “move” in store for you. It may be a move from the comfort zone, or it may be a move across the country. Don’t get too comfortable where you are – physically, emotionally, spiritually, or geographically. If the Lord is asking you to move, you should move, regardless of the risks. If He wants you to change, then change. Surprises from God always intensify our need for faith.

Third, stepping out in faith always brings clarification of God’s plan. When Ananias went, he received additional information. As Saul submitted to the ministry of Ananias, he found out about God’s plan for his life: “You’re a chosen vessel of Mine. I’m going to use you to bear My name.” Saul had not known that before. That’s the way God operates. Surprises always bring about clarification of God’s plan.

Fourth, obedience always stimulates growth. Obeying God drives the roots of your faith much deeper. Obedience stimulates growth in every area of life. We are stretched emotionally, physically, and most importantly spiritually. Ananias’s compliance with God’s surprise allowed him to witness supernatural power. No one else in all of Scripture saw the scales fall off Saul’s eyes. Obedience always stimulates growth.

What’s going on in your life today? Has God placed a challenge that you feel is more than you can handle? Let Him help you handle it.

Has something happened that has totally disrupted the plans you have made? Let Him reshape your future.

Has something happened that is blinding you to God’s power? Is fear of the unknown or the uncertainty of the future hindering you from obeying God’s clear leading? Draw near to Him today. Don’t allow the day to end without deciding to trust Him, no matter how surprising His plan.

No matter what surprise you are facing, the key to understanding it and being able to enjoy it is to move toward God. Not away from Him. It is always to move closer to Him. Never away from Him.

Enjoy the surprise,
Tom

© Copyright 2003, Tom Norvell
Used by permission
www.anorvellnote.ibelieve.com