I Didn't Expect This!

I Didn’t Expect This!

What do you do when you step out in obedience to do something you believe the Lord has called you to and through no fault of yours, but because of circumstances beyond your control it turns out much different than what you expected? What if all your plans and efforts go “south”, or horribly wrong? Can you still say “God is good”?

The sobering reality is that the unexpected is part of life. Business deals go bad; partnerships and alliances that at the outset looked promising and rock solid unravel. Investments of time, money, and heart go nowhere, serious and complicated health issues overtake us, and the list goes on and on. Living with the unexpected is part of Kingdom life too. How we deal with, travel through the uncharted and unexpected landscape is part of what sets us apart and draws others to the King.

“Had it not been the Lord Who was on our side...” Ps. 124:1

King David wrote these words to remind himself and Israel that they were not alone. Even though they lived in a time of nearly continual warfare with enemies on every side wanting to “swallow them alive” (v.3), they were not alone. These are good words for us to remind ourselves of. God is good in every circumstance because He is not only on our side, He is with us, in us, and will never leave us or forsake us! Men and circumstance may seek to destroy and “tear us with their teeth” (v.6) But we are never alone.

The following is a true story:

“Esther” was a vibrant woman with one daughter who was getting ready to give birth. Esther was very much looking forward to being a grandma and was hoping this was the beginning of a lot of grand babies for her to spoil. Her whole world was shattered when the unborn baby’s father decided he didn’t want the child after all and when he saw that abortion was not an option, arranged for mother and baby to be killed. The baby survived the ordeal but was left with severe mental and physical disabilities. The mother hung on for a number of weeks in a coma, but she eventually died. Esther was left with the child. For over a dozen years she has been raising the boy on her own. He is in need of constant care, yet when the interviewer met with her she was filled with the joy of the Lord. She embraces everyday with her grandson as a gift from God and celebrates the Lord’s goodness to her in the midst of the challenge.

I read Esther’s testimony when I was dealing with a number of “unexpecteds” in my own life. I was encouraged by her story and I hope you are also. Few of us will ever have to face the challenge Esther has.

But, whatever we may face we can echo the words of David

“Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth!” Ps. 124:8

Have a great week on your Mountain!