CELEBRATING THE UNEXPECTED
“And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is His name.”
Luke 1: 46-49 (NIV)
Of all the people in the Bible, Mary’s life may have been the most unexpectedly interrupted. A young, unmarried girl from a small, unremarkable village was suddenly told that she would bear God incarnate. Imagine the shock she felt upon hearing such life-altering news. Yet, her response was remarkable—Mary celebrated this holy interruption with great humility.
God interrupts our lives all the time. Scripture proves this through countless stories of individuals whose lives were suddenly upended by His presence, bringing transformation, provision, healing and new purpose:
- The boy’s lunch of five loaves and two fish fed thousands.
- Peter walked on water with his Lord.
- Lazarus came back from the dead.
We serve a God who interrupts. Just as He met Paul on the road to Damascus, He meets us unexpectedly, bringing change beyond what we can imagine. Sometimes, these interruptions feel scary or uncertain. When God provided for the Israelites in the desert by sending miraculous bread from heaven, they called it manna, which literally means What is this? So often, when God interrupts our lives with His plan, it can feel like a what is this moment.
The good news? Those unexpected moments come from a God far greater and better than we can imagine. His plans and provisions far exceed anything we could do on our own. The book of Isaiah reminds us of this truth:
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)
When we truly know and love God's character and trust in His faithfulness, something beautiful happens—we celebrate! Though life is full of unexpected twists and turns that may catch us off guard—whether a new job, a changing relationship, an unplanned ending, a big move, or an answer we never saw coming—we can take the posture Mary did and celebrate the unexpected.
APPLICATION: What are some unexpected ways God has (past or present) interrupted your life? Spend some time thinking about those things today and celebrate!
PRAYER: Father, thank You for the good plan You have for my life. Teach my heart to celebrate the unexpected and to fully walk in what You have for me. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?