Today’s Post Written By: Rae Lynn DeAngelis
I remember celebrating my dad’s birthday when I was about five years old. My brother, sister and I combined our allowances to purchase a gift for him. Giving presents to my dad was a lot of fun because he always tried to guess the gift before opening it.
“What do you think it is, Daddy?” I giggled with delight. He looked at the package closely, turning it over in his hands. He then held the bundle up to his ear and gave it a gentle shake, careful to not damage the contents inside.
After a thorough assessment he was ready to guess. “Hmmm”…. he said confidently, “feels like….socks!”
Spoiler alert!
“No, Daddy” I gestured towards the package in his hands, “…it doesn’t feel like socks… it feels like gloves!”
Laughter erupted from everyone in the room, and yet I had absolutely no idea why.
Have you ever had someone spoil the surprise for you? Perhaps you were told the ending to a movie, or maybe someone let a comment slip about the upcoming surprise party in your honor. Or worse yet, maybe the sonogram technician forgot to ask you to look away when trying to determine the sex of your baby.
Sometimes we like surprises. One of the greatest joys of my relationship with God is discovering the little surprises He has for me. Treasures in His Word, amazing opportunities I never dreamed were possible, miracles taking place in the lives of those around me, not to mention God’s incredible provisions on a daily basis. These are just a few of the ways God astonishes me, but there are some elements of my faith journey that I’m glad are not a surprise.
“Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.” (1 John 3:13)
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12)
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
I’m not surprised when difficulties come because God has clearly warned me about them.
God’s warnings are reassuring. Knowing ahead of time that we are going to face trials here on earth helps us endure and persevere. Trials and tests will come, but they will not last forever. This broken world will one day be renewed. Our King is coming for us, and Scripture tells us to be ready. We may not know when or where, but one thing is for sure… Jesus is coming back!
“Immediately after the distress of those days
“the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’
“At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” (Matthew 24:29-31)
Praise God! It’s the best spoiler alert ever!