Advent Dec. 2: Unexpected

Unexpected

December 2, 2011

Elizabeth, like Sarah before her, had probably given up on ever being pregnant and having a child. She was just too old. Her label as a barren woman was part of what identified her in the community. But God had different ideas. God does unexpected things!

When I was a young girl, I expected to go to Africa to serve the Lord. That seemed to be what you did when you were really wanted to serve and follow Him. Instead, after college there was marriage, 6 children, and service of different kinds. There were even grandchildren.

And then God does the unexpected. He calls us to move to Africa when I am 56 years old.

I don’t think I am the only one. Each year we have many volunteers and visitors who come and bless us at the Village. There have been many times when these people have said, “I never expected to go to Africa. But it was announced at church that a team was forming and I just knew God was calling me to come.”

In this Advent season, let’s expect the unexpected. Let’s not put God in a box. Let’s break out to be available to do what God wants, or to go where he is leading. Let’s pray for the body of Christ, especially where we are, to be open to the unexpected call of God to be His disciples in surprising, amazing, and joyful old and new ways.