MESSAGE FROM PASTOR CHRISTOPHER HELDT

Unexpected

One of the things I have learned over the years is that we are creatures of habit. We like the rhythms we develop in this life, and do not want anything to disrupt what makes us comfortable. And while the unexpected car repair, medical emergency, or leaking boiler pipe (like we recently discovered at church) never seem to bring any good to us, sometimes the unexpected is actually a blessing.

A few days ago, I came home to a wonderful surprise. The automotive repair industry has been a difficult place over the last few months. The days are long and stressful. Parts are hard to come by. And customers are becoming more and more impatient. It was “one of those days” and all I wanted to do was crawl into bed when I got home. As I walked in, there was a sign that said, “Welcome to Winter Wonderland” and I was greeted by an “Elf” who looked a lot like my daughter. I was informed that I needed to come to the basement for a surprise. I came down the stairs to find a 15-year-old with tissue taped to his chin saying, “Ho Ho Ho, what would you like for Christmas this year?” He also told me that “she paid me to do this!” I laughed so hard, and I was so glad that my kids put this together. They had no idea how much I needed that in my life. 

This got me thinking about how God works through the unexpected in our lives. When you look at how God has worked throughout history, we see examples, such as a small shepherd boy standing up to a giant, or a small group of fishermen leading the formation of the church. Nobody could have expected God to come in such a lowly way, as we just celebrated this Christmas. And we certainly could not have imagined that God’s plan for our salvation would be completed through the death of His only Son. What I think we see in all of this is that God does not work through our expectations, but instead reveals himself in the most unexpected ways.

As we enter into a new year, full of new challenges, may we look for the ways that God is working in us and moving among us in the unexpected.

In Christ,

Pastor Chris