Life’s Unexpected Places

“And now, Lord, what wait I for?

my hope is in thee.”

Psalms 39:7

God with us…in life’s unexpected places.

Christmas 2024. All the hustle and bustle, the parties, the shopping, the drama, the planning, preparing and running…it’s finished.

I was searching for an image to share on social media when I ran across one with this message I’m sharing: “God with us…”

Where? That’s what caught my attention, you see, and it gripped my heart so strongly - in life’s unexpected places! Oh my!

That’s the perfect description of where I feel I’ve been lately. You see, it’s easy to stay busy and run from uncomfortable, discouraging topics and situations. It’s easier not to talk about the hard stuff, to stuff down emotions which are screaming for acknowledgement, and to keep smiling like everything is just fine and we have everything together. The problem is, we can’t run forever.

Unexpected places…I found myself there. Can you remember being there before? Or are you currently there?

I won’t share my personal details here because we could all share a story. That’s not my point. The point is that we sometimes find ourselves in unexpected places and need to know we’re not alone in the dark.

God is with us!

No matter how dark it may appear, God brings light into the darkest corner of our universe. His love brings warmth to hurting, hopeless hearts. His compassion speaks to our sickness and pain, and calls us to lean into Him. His presence calms our fears, and strengthens our trust in His plan for our lives. His strength and forgiveness charges us with undeniable fortitude.

In life’s unexpected places and in uncertain circumstances, God gently holds us close to His heart and quietly whispers peace into the harshness life brings.

We can depend upon God’s presence to bring us calmness, assurance, direction, freedom, strength, peace, and even joy. Yes, right there in the middle of the most unexpected places. This is God’s way! He is our Savior…in all types of proverbial places.

In life’s unexpected places and in uncertain circumstances, God fiercely fights for and defends us during the struggles of this life.

I just want to encourage us to keep pressing into Him as we near the end of a crazy year and begin one which is filled with countless unknowns. Only our God is Omniscient (all knowing), Omnipotent (all powerful), and Omnipresent (everywhere). His ways are pure and perfect, ours are fickle at best. We are weak, but He is strong and well able to handle everything on our list. We are complete and able when we’re hidden in and relying upon Him!

No matter what comes our way, nothing can stop God — so our outcome is quite promising and hopeful. He never flinches or wavers. We can truly depend upon and cast our cares upon Him. He longs for us to truly trust Him…when we know where we are AND when we find ourselves in unexpected places. We don’t have to do it on our own! Ever.

Life’s unexpected places never catch God by surprise…no, they prove His character and love. We can depend upon Him no matter what.

Merry Christmas and happy New Year to you, my friend. Be encouraged and inspired to lean into Him today and in those unexpected places you might find yourself in during the days to come.