But you don’t have a clue what tomorrow may bring…Instead you should say, “Our tomorrows are in the Lord’s hands and if he is willing we will live life to its fullest and do this or that.” - James 4:14-15
For nearly eighteen years, our family had a 12-pound cockapoo named Emma. She was smart, full of life, and extremely cuddly. She felt it was her personal duty to protect us all from every bird, chipmunk, or other wild creature that roamed our land. And, I’m happy to report she did her job well—we never experienced an animal attack of any sort while under her diligent watch.
One evening when Emma asked to go outside, I decided to let her out through the side door of our garage. She dashed ahead in her usual, feisty manner. When I caught up to her and swung open the door, she bolted out like an Olympic sprinter and ran full force into a wobbly-legged baby deer! The two of them were completely stunned and stood frozen in a slow-motion time warp of shock until suddenly they snapped into reality and began jumping around. For a moment, it looked more like a playful romp than a pursuit. But then the deer began to run down the hill while Emma pretended to chase her, still clearly shaken up and wondering what had just happened. In an instant the encounter was over and I was wishing I had captured it all on video.
Every one of us will experience the unexpected at some time. It will catch us by surprise and may be confusing. We may be tempted to panic or become afraid. But the unexpected doesn’t mean God has lost control. It often means His purposes are unfolding in ways we don’t yet see. Through the gift of prayer, we can talk with God and choose faith over fear—not denying our circumstances, but choosing hope in the midst of them. When the unexpected happens, it may be an opportunity for spiritual growth—the kind you too may wish you could capture on video.
CLOSING PRAYER
Father in heaven, help me remember Your Sovereignty when I’m caught off guard by the unexpected. Guard my heart from fear and deepen my faith with hope as I trust You more and more. In Jesus’ name, Amen.