Our Unpredictable Predictable God


"We need to get back fast!" 
We were on a small sail boat on the Pacific side of Costa Rica. Our "captain" was a 70+ year old woman who had just completed her sailing classes and we had joined her on her maiden voyage. The sea was calm, the sky beautiful, and then everything changed.

There are some great boat stories in the Bible. Some of them teach us some valuable lessons. Let me highlight a few today.

God is predictable, but he sure is unpredictable:
Hebrews 13:8 tells us that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Yet, who could predict that he would use a shipwreck to get Paul to a little island so the gospel could be preached to the inhabitants? You can't put God in a box. He's as creative today as he's ever been. Don't try to tell God how to do things in your prayers. Let him know you trust him.

God is never late, but he sure is slow:
When God told Noah to build an ark the flood came 120 years later. Then when the rain stopped after 40 days he still had to spend about a year on the boat. Trusting God's timetable can be challenging, but worth it. Don't try to tell God when to do things in your prayers. Let him know you trust him.

God isn't wasteful, but he sure is excessive:
The grace God showed to the people of Nineveh when their castaway prophet Jonah showed up was more than the prophet could handle. God is known for his extravagance. When Jesus fed the 5,000+ there were 12 baskets of leftovers. Don't try to tell God how much to do in your prayers. Let him know you trust him.

Our unchanging God loves to do things differently according to his own timetable. When he moves he goes all out. 

On my boat ominous clouds were rolling in and within seconds the wind was intense, rain pouring, and lighting bolts were striking all around as the thunder boomed. We lost all sight of the shore, but could see a little fluorescent flag there to guide us. We kept our eyes fixed on it and made it back safely. Wow! Keep your eyes on the goal today as well. 

Following the Son,

James A Williams

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