Day 86 - Surprise

Recently, I have managed to find myself in a musical. Frankly, I'm not sure how it happened, nor who I upset to deserve this. I only went to the drama department to pick up some belts I had lent them for costumes in one of their recent productions. Next thing I knew, someone had mentioned I sung at a grade 6 level, working on grade 8, a script was thrust in my hands and now I have a main role with a duet that includes a terrifying range I didn't know I had in me! Any prayers would be much appreciated - we have two weeks till performance and one of those weeks is the half-term holiday to learn the whole thing!

And it got me thinking about surprises that occur in our own lives. I'm sure we can all think of times we've been surprised. Maybe something at work, something at school, a family emergency, whatever it is, we've all experienced some form of surprise good or bad. And the same is true with God working in our lives. God's plans very rarely come with advance notice - think Mary and the angel, Moses and the burning bush and the tongues of flame dancing on the heads of the disciples. So, I think it is fair to say that the Bible is sprinkled liberally with many surprises.

Surprises can often be scary - learning songs isn't too bad but choreography with my two left feet is giving me some serious nerves - but surely, we can rest assured knowing God will never give us challenges we are unable of facing with Him at our side. After Timothy, my favourite bible verse must be Jeremiah 29:11 - '"I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."' This verse is our promise from God that we will never have to face surprises alone, that God is always with us even when it doesn't feel like it, it's all part of His plans even though we might not see it. And if God is with us, what can't we overcome?

So today, this week, in our lives going forward, let's strive to embrace surprises, good and bad, as opportunities to learn, to grow, to trust in God and use it as an opportunity to deepen and strengthen our faith in Him. I'm certainly hoping He'll strengthen my vocal cords!

Harry Booton