Taken by Surprise

“If there be any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels of mercies, Fulfill my joy, that ye be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” Philippians 2:1

The comfort of the love of God, reaches into the deepest darkest midnight hour. It is there in our lostness, our desperation, and our anguish that the love of God stretches forth and pulls us in. He brings the human soul to this desolate place where we need Him like never before. We strive in this life, we grope in darkness, we vainly attempt to make sense of our fallen condition. Oftentimes this quest is bitter, and painful, accumulating as it goes with more questions than it answers as we try to unravel this mystery we call life. “Why’s” abound and demand explanation, yet none satisfies our longing souls. Where are we going in this thing called life, what are we doing here and where, oh where can true joy, and peace be found. Oftentimes it is on this weary road of introspection that the Lord shows up, and calls our name.

You may not know it, but the Lord Jesus Christ loves your soul and every step you take, He is watching you. He is longing for you to come to Him. You never knew love like this, it’s a surprise. It’s real. It’s yours if you so chose to believe in the Son of God. He sees your sin, struggle, pain, heartache, and brokenness. He sees it all. He loves you anyway, and always.

The Lord, mighty in battle. The Lord, the great shepherd of our souls. The Lord, the lover of our inner being whose very name is Truth. He comes, oftentimes, by surprise. He shows up. He is not what we expected, and His visitations are when we least expect them. He has been tracking you, but you didn’t know that. He has been watching you, waiting to reveal his love for you. He has a surprise for you and it’s better than you think. He has a gift for you, Himself. He offers you peace. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27. He offers you joy, ” Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.” John 16:20. He offers you comfort “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.” John 14:16. He offers you forgiveness of sins which only He can give. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation: but is passed from death unto life” John 5:24.

It’s truly a surprise in this life, that the gospel of Jesus Christ is so freely and sincerely offered by a loving Father who has literally done everything divinely possible to save us from His wrath to come on this sinful wicked world, and give us everlasting life. His amazing love is so shocking a surprise in this world full of sin, that sadly, so few come to believe it.