Fearlessly Courageous
Desk of Dennis Piller
9 14 2023

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Unpredictably GOD

Whatever happened to nice and easy?  Slow and predictable?  What happened to my old life of routines, set appointments, and regularly scheduled date nights?  I sometimes go to several services for my church on weekends.  I have men’s ministry on Monday night.  My wife went to the Women’s Beautiful group. I had a wonderful schedule

 I know it doesn’t totally relate but one of the trusted virtues of God is he is unchanging.  “I am the LORD, and I do not change…” (Malachi 3:6 NLT) But don’t get too comfortable there because one other thing I know is that God is perfectly unpredictable too!

Joseph was happily engaged to Mother Mary when an angel told him, that his soon-to-be wife was now pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Yikes!   But don’t worry. (right)   Paul was hunting down and killing Christians, to the cheers of the crowd, and God struck like a thunderbolt on the Damascus road.  How’s that for unpredictable?   How about building an entire empire on fishermen, tax collectors and who knows who else? They raised the dead, fed the hungry, healed the sick… just like Jesus.  Did I say most died as martyrs…. willingly? Was there ever a predictable formula

So help me here.  How predictable has your life been with God?  I just read an inspiring verse by Theologian Forrest Gump saying, “Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re going to get.”  Look I love to plan things out.  I like scripts, formulas, and a team of tried and proven, did I say experienced… workers to do most any project for God? (I never get that)  But something always goes wrong, or should I say the unpredictable happens.  So, we improvise, regroup, replan and get back at it… because the program must go on.   I am seasoned.  Experienced.   I have seen numerous campaigns and there is always the predictably unpredictable thing that happens each and every time. 

I have heard said if you have experience in God’s kingdom you should be comfortable with unpredictability and the unknowns popping up out of a box of chocolates. Well…. I’m not!

But when you look closer, God is radically unpredictable.  I read today that we have been asked to give up many things for Lent but never a need for certainty or boredom. I think it’s a skill he is

And for those of you who are screaming about “your rights” – consider these words by Oswald Chambers:  “If you are living the life of faith you will exercise your right to waive your rights, and let God choose for you. God sometimes allows you to get into a place of testing where your own welfare would be the right and proper thing to consider if you were not living a life of faith; but if you are, you will joyfully waive your right and leave God to choose for you. This is the discipline by means of which the natural is transformed into the spiritual by obedience to the voice of God … The only right a Christian has is the right to have no rights.”

So yesterday, I had open heart surgery.  I had gone to Clearwater Beach, on vacation, and 2 days in, I have a heart attack and a triple bypass.  Talk about unpredictability! I am writing this on Tuesday night the evening before my surgery so I can’t even tell you the outcome yet. So keep praying for me, please.

How about what Ken Boa has to say:  “As we take the many blessings of our lives for granted, the grace of God degenerates into entitlement.” Ouch!

But, we don’t have any rights.  We are supposed to be sold out to a loving God who is jealous of our affection and obedience. Bottom line:  We are in for the ride of our lives and none of us are getting out of this alive.    Rejoice, I say Rejoice.  We are in an adventure of Faith and God IS in control.  Is 41: 10 For my ways are not your ways.  Is 55: 8

             Unpredictably… Predictable.

Lord help me to walk in peace in every situation.  Let your light shine in rain and shine through me.  I was bought with a price and you always have my back and always help me up from my knees.  I love you lord. And no matter what,   I will continue to be thankful and appreciate what you do with me or allow to be done to me.  I trust that all things work together for my good and your glory.
Thank you for your prayers.  You will hear from me soon.  Blessings, Dennis

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