Sustenance for The Spirit
Today I started a devotional book by Mark Batterson, author of The Circle Maker. A couple of sentences leaped off page one. Referring to Cornelius, “who prayed regularly,” Mr. Batterson says,
“And when you pray to God regularly, irregular things happen on a regular basis. You never know when or where or how God will invade the routine of your life, but you can live in holy anticipation, knowing that God is orchestrating supernatural synchronicities.” (The Circle Maker, P. 15)
How many people in scripture had their routine interrupted to live out God’s purpose? Abraham, Rahab, Noah, Joseph, David, John the Baptist, Ruth, Boaz, Aaron, Paul, the Apostles, Jason (Acts 17), Esther, Timothy, Barnabas, Mary and Joseph, the woman at the well, the audience at the Sermon on the Mount, the lepers Jesus healed, anyone Jesus healed, Mary and Martha, Lazarus, and the list is endless.
In the quote above, Mr. Batterson is putting “expect the unexpected” in a new dimension, not in a Star Trek way, but in a what it’s really like to live out Christianity way. We are opened to infinite possibilities through prayer, reminding us once again of Paul’s prayer in Ephesians three, “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20–21, NIV)
We anticipate the curve ball, the change of plans, the new challenge in our path. We accept a sudden twist as opportunity to live closer to our Lord and serve Him in a way we could not have known otherwise. It’s scary business, and not just on Halloween, but if we’ve committed to living life as a Christ-follower, it’s simply part of the picture and our role is to allow the Holy Spirit’s guidance to see us through. Prayer is the key. Let’s open the door in anticipation of the unexpected.
Have a wonderful day!
