Surprise!!!!

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 1 Peter 12

I hate surprises. Not to the extent that I want to know what my Christmas presents are before I open them but I really don’t like it when someone calls me to say, “Hey I’ve got something for you. I’ll be dropping it by later. Its a surprise!”

Most people, it seems like these kind of surprises but I obsess until the person gets over as to what the surprise is and how should I react. Do I need to return the favor with a gift to this person? Did I miss an occasion? What if the gift is part of some conversation or moment the two of us have shared and I don’t remember the details?

Its all too stressful. The waiting. I do like gifts and if you wanted to just hand me one I probably would be fine with that but the waiting for the unknown really gets to me.

Reading Peter is no comfort. First of all what is the fiery ordeal that is testing me? Is this happening now or is something much worse coming? And second, will I really be surprised because as I said – I hate surprises!

But thank goodness Peter goes on to say “rejoice and shout for joy when Jesus’ glory is revealed!” Now that I can do! For as much as I hate the waiting for a surprise for me I LOVE the anticipation of someone’s reaction to a happy surprise. Surprise parties for others? Fun! Finding out if someone is having a boy or a girl? Cool! Watching my kids open birthday presents? Priceless.

So can I rejoice when God’s glory is revealed even though it may come as a surprise to others? Of course. Its one of the few surprises I look forward to in this world. Those “aha” moments on others’ faces when they see Who is truly in charge.

Until Everyone Hears,