“[God’s] character doesn’t change, but one dimension of His character is unpredictability. When you follow Jesus, expect the unexpected. Why? God is predictably unpredictable! Whether you call them divine appointments or God winks, God has some holy surprises up His sovereign sleeve.”- Mark Batterson
“For the simplicity on this side of complexity, I wouldn’t give you a fig. But for the simplicity on the other side of complexity, for that I would give you anything I have.”- Oliver Wendell Holmes
Mark Batterson concludes Chapter 3 of A Million Little Miracles as he talks about a concept in theology called the infinitude of God. Because God Most High comprises a category all by Himself, we find it impossible to wrap our minds around Him. God is God.
Hence, Mark cautions, if you think you have God figured out, think again. For the more you know, Mark quips, the more you know how much you don’t know! Above all, knowledge of the Holy Spirit leads to profound humility. Not to pride.
Therefore, Pastor Batterson exhorts:
“There is no finish line when it comes to faith. You never arrive! But don’t let that discourage your deconstructing and reconstructing. Seeking God is the adventure that never ends. . . . God’s love knows no limits. Neither does His power, His purposes, or His providence. His grace is sufficient. For what? Any and every situation we find ourselves in. . . .
Every attribute of God is infinitely complex. Believing anything less is believing in a flannelgraph god, and you get stuck in Flatland.”
In conclusion, Mark observes, we read Scripture with hindsight bias. We know how every story ends. As a result, even Jesus’ miracles lose their element of surprise. Certainly, in real time we would have never seen those miracles coming. But, Pastor Batterson states, that’s par for the course. Because God works in strange and mysterious ways.
Hence, all we need to do is let God love us, grace us, heal us, empower us, and repurpose us.
Today’s question: What holy surprises up God’s sovereign sleeve have you experienced? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “The minute details of your life”