Good Word of the Day: Surprise
When have you been the most surprised? Have you had a secret party thrown just for you? Or maybe you received a scary medical diagnosis. Or maybe the doctor gave you good news that you were expecting a baby.
Sometimes surprises are silly moments. Early last Saturday morning, my two oldest granddaughters and I were sitting in the den just talking and contemplating life when a big wild turkey walked right in front of the window.
We were shocked! This may be a common occurrence where you live, but I’ve never seen a turkey sauntering across the lawns in my neighborhood. We all screamed, “What? What was that? Did you see that?” The three of us, in our pajamas, quietly opened the front door and looked around to see if we could get another view. We never did see him again. Hopefully, the confused big bird made it back safely to his family.
That’s just a silly random surprise, but can you imagine the surprise of Mary Magdalene when she went to the tomb of Jesus early Easter Sunday morning? Expecting to prepare his body for burial, she was met with a massive surprise. He wasn’t there! What’s more, the “gardener” had big news for her. Read the full story from John 20:1-18.
One of my favorite parts of this story is when Jesus simply said her name. She knew in an instant that He wasn’t the gardener. Surprise! It was her Master. Teacher. Friend. Risen Lord. It was another story of Jesus seeing people who were overlooked and usually unseen.
When is a moment when you have felt seen and loved by God?
It has made me think this week about how God is never taken by surprise. The big word for that is omniscient — All Knowing.
God knows everything (1 John 3:20). He knows not only the minutest details of our lives but those of everything around us, for He mentions even knowing when a sparrow falls or when we lose a single hair (Matthew 10:29-30). Not only does God know everything that will occur until the end of history itself (Isaiah 46:9-10), but He also knows our very thoughts, even before we speak forth (Psalm 139:4). He knows our hearts from afar; He even saw us in the womb (Psalm 139:1-3, 15-16). Solomon expresses this truth perfectly when he says, “For you, you only, know the hearts of all the children of mankind” (1 Kings 8:39). What does it mean that God is omniscient?
Wednesday in the Word
Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”) John 20:16.
If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 1 John 3:20
Share Your Good Words
Good Questions of the Week: How does it make you feel that nothing surprises God? Why is this a good thing?
Photo: She Is Safe
Good Unseen People
This story is in Unseen People:
Can you even imagine? Mary was distraught. She didn’t know where they had taken him. And then, when a man who she thought was the gardener simply said one word. The only word she needed to hear to bring her back into a safe place. Her name. Jesus said to her, “Mary.” And she knew. She was flooded with peace. She didn’t know what was happening, but she knew him. And he knew her name. That was enough.
Read the whole story here: I know His voice. He knows my name.
I invite you to read more about how God calls us to see the unseen. Click the link below to read more on my website about Unseen People: Sharing Light and Life With Your Neighbors and the Nations.
To mark the progress of the book and to give you weekly insights into my writing life, please follow along and watch the videos on This Week in Unseen People. Click the image below to watch the videos on my YouTube channel. Please subscribe to my channel while you’re there!
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Good Words I Recommend
A Good Book: Unveiling Mary Magdalene: Discover the Truth About a Not-So-Bad Girl of the Bible, Liz Curtis Higgs
Another Good Book: Good News! It's Easter! Glenys Nellist
A Good Song/Video: Easter Worship Mix
A Final Good Word
How do you plan to spend the rest of holy week and Easter Sunday? Do you have family traditions? Many people will attend church this coming Sunday who aren’t usually there. My prayer for them is that they will be surprised by the overwhelming love of Jesus. That they will be overcome with His goodness and grace and accept the free gift of new life. Imagine their surprise if they leave the church a changed person. This week, invite friends and family to come with you to church. You never know if they will receive a surprise that will change their life.
I’d love to hear from you. This is your chance to share with me whatever is on your heart today. Please share. I value your thoughts!
Thank you for reading these words. I’m deeply honored to share this time with you each week.
“This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you. Jeremiah 30:2
Gratefully yours,