Surprise

School starts today.  New "I-can-run-faster" shoes cover the feet of eager elementary students.  Teenagers have backpacks on their shoulders.  Teachers' classrooms look like they won't look again until this time next year - clean whiteboards, unmarked desks, unbroken pencils.  Some kids will skip; others will mope.  Some parents will cry; others will cheer. 

No one, save God, knows how the 21-22 academic year will go.  As the days, weeks, and months go by, time will tell.  One thing is certain - namely, surprises, both welcome and unwelcome, will arise.  That is true for students and teachers.  That is true for all of us.

The gospel music writer, Ira Stanphill, wrote well on the topic.  In his song, "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow," he testifies . . .

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Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

Those lyrics express the confidence-building reality that Christ followers experience.  In any realm of life, the presence of an expert brings comfort and assurance.  When I was in college, I jumped out of a plane.  I did so while strapped to an expert skydive instructor.  If not for him, I would have remained in my seat.  I did not know how to skydive, but I knew to whom I was connected.  If you are a Christian, unbuckle your seatbelt and leap.  Leap into life, the life to which God calls you.

Luke 9:23 (NIV)
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."

That is where the adventure begins.

#ordinarylives