7-08-2023 7:05pm

Strong spirits: surprises

Photo: VanessaQ

How are you with surprises? Most of the people I know are not big on them. They take us out of control. They can get us off balance. If they were always good, I guess we would all be fine with them. But they are often not.

I believe we need to learn to live anticipating God's surprises. I also believe he always has our best interest in mind, so that even if the surprise seems bad, he can work it for good.

In the beginning of John chapter 4 in the Bible, we find Jesus in an encounter with a Samaritan woman, and the whole story is full of surprises for her. I don't doubt she was uncomfortable, but the upshot was that she ended up trusting in Jesus, and having her life transformed for good. Read John 4 for the details...

Maybe the most surprising of all in the story is the obvious love Jesus has for this woman, even though Jews and Samaritans had nothing to do with each other. Would you be surprised to know he loves you, too?

Are you open to God's surprises? Are you ready for the blessings he has for you?

Besides serving as pastor at Caledonia Congregational Church, Gary Schwerin is the Spiritual Development Minister for the YMCA of the Rock River Valley and Executive Director of Bridge Ministries of Rockford. Prior to launching Bridge Ministries, Gary spent many years in leadership with Young Life. His columns appear here every Sunday - to see them all, subscribe to our daily email.