It always surprises me that I am surprised with certain news. I know for example that travel is problematic which you fly to a destination with three different airport stops along the way. Add to the equation the uncertainty that comes with an airline that is not known for customer service and the results should be obvious. Passenger luggage will be left behind, lost, or misplaced. It is also likely that the very people put in place to resolve the situations will not have the tools or attitude to do anything resembling what you or I come to expect as service. Yet, as recent events confirm, I was surprised.
I shouldn’t be surprised when somebody is not able to stand up for what is right when they haven’t stood for what is right when the cost became too “expensive” in recent history. I shouldn’t be surprised that I am misled by a “friend” when there is a pattern that extends back over months and years that indicates this type of behavior. You shouldn’t be surprised when things turn sour because there are far too many people that think they win with your pain. It is the same in my life and most of the people I have the opportunity to know beyond the surface. Everyone is a victim of exploitation, abuse, and the selfish acts of others. It is merely a matter of degree. We know this but the reality still seems to surprise those that know.
Along comes Divine words and we seem to be surprised that something must go if we are to experience being one with God. We all live in our own versions of hell “so don't be so surprised when I [God] tell you that you have to be ‘born from above’—out of this world, so to speak.” (John 3.7) Divinity desires to restore us to everything we were created to be. We shouldn’t be surprised then to know this reality is something that we can have but it does require us to say yes with our heart and mind.
