Surprise, surprise!

Nobody saw it coming [we had fixed 5 year terms] when Theresa May decided we needed an election. The unexpected happens. Whether it's fake news or lazy journalism, there are allegations that Russia is hacking democracy in order to have the right people 'elected'. Trump sacks the head of the FBI.

itv.co.uk

Jesus was good at surprises. Nobody thought he would come alive again, and he appeared among his followers when they had locked themselves behind doors for safety. Then he commanded them to be at peace. What was he doing?

It wasn't a panto routine: now you see me, now you don't. But it was helping them understand that the spiritual world is as real as the physical. Just because we can't see something doesn't mean it's not there. We can't see the wind, radio waves, or magnetic radiation ~ but we can know their effects: a cooling breeze, my favourite show, or the miracle of a scan that can see the inside story of my body.

Love, trust, hope, vision, and many other dimensions can't be seen or bought ~ but they're real, and vital. Without them we exist; with them we thrive.

bluemaize.net

If I unplug a kettle then I can't draw electrical power to boil. If I'm unable to draw on the power of love then there are many things I can't do. The former power is only available from a fixed connection, whereas the latter may be received from a child, a stranger, loved ones, and can often surprise us.

How we respond to the unexpected says much about our character. If we know a fulfilled life of purpose and loving relationships, then things that knock us down will be temporary because we will soon spring back to normal. Jesus once described his mission as enabling us to live life to the full.

This is not being naive about pain, frailty, or illness. Jesus Christ went through pain and death, so his coming to life afterwards is a powerful signal that heaven's truth frames our temporary earthly existence. We can't see heaven, but we can know it.

May we continue to be surprised by God.