Unexpected

I just discovered this video, and I love it.  I love the irony, but it connects to something deeper.  Relentless optimism.  The ability to keep going and keep singing in the middle of the chaos, refusing to give up hope.  Starting brand new days over and over in the face of the same old problems.  It seems ridiculous to many, and perhaps it is--especially without a Christian worldview.

I've been trying to read the Gospels straight through.  I'm pretty slow, and still have to fight the urge not to jump to another book because I just read this in Matthew and Mark, but I think it's worth it.  Today was Luke 2, the Christmas story and beyond. What I found interesting this round was that Jesus was always surprising people wherever He showed up.  They were not expecting Him.  So there was no room in the inn.  (Oh that poor, infamous inn.)  Israel was expecting a Messiah--but not the One who came, so they missed Him.  But a few were watching: shepherds--they were good at watching sheep; a couple of devout old people in the temple in Jerusalem; and rich foreigners who showed up three years later.  Simeon, one of the devout old people in the temple, tried to warn Mary that Jesus was going to keep up the habit of being unexpected, but that for those who accepted Him anyway, He would be their greatest joy.

But Mary forgot.  Twelve years later, back at the same temple, frantic Mary is finally relieved to see Jesus after a three-day search in Jerusalem after Passover.  "Why have you done this to us?" she asks.  Jesus replies, "You should have known that I would be in my Father's house."  She should have expected that after twelve years of knowing Jesus.  But she didn't.

Jesus, please help me to look for You in unexpected places in my life.  Yet help me to remember that Your plan here on earth is about much more than me surviving "brand new days."  Don't let me miss your cosmic plans by narrowing my view only to my own world and idea of how you should work for me.  Open my eyes to recognize You, and move my heart to follow You into the unexpected.  Thank you for surprising me with joy whenever and wherever you show up.