Twists

I like to watch movies. I really love the experience of seeing a movie in the theater. (Although I much rather the "experience" of paying only a dollar at the red box!) And when a new movie is coming that I really want to see, I mark it on my calendar and let Crystal know that it's coming. I try and avoid reading too much stuff about this new movie because I don't want to spoil anything before I see it. And I make Crystal go to the movie with me if not on opening night then on the first weekend.

And maybe you're like me, but while I'm watching the movie I like to try and figure out what's going on. Now let me explain before you get too upset, I don't tell the people next to me what I think is going to happen, it's like a little game I play inside my head. It seems that most movies follow the same themes.

But sometimes, there are movies that make you think you're heading one direction and then suddenly they go somewhere else. Maybe it's a special twist (I see Dead People, Luke, I'm your Father, Sweep the leg...oh wait, that's the Karate Kid!) or an unexpected turn in the plot, but the movie takes you somewhere you weren't expecting to go.

And when I walk out of those movies, it's almost like my breath has been taken away. It was like I lost this challenge in trying to figure out the movie. The director and writers kept me in the dark. I tend to talk about those twists and turns with other people. Even when I didn't like the movie I have to admit that I couldn't figure it out.

Now in life and with God things seem to work this way too, right? We pray about things and it looks like God has us moving a certain way. And since we're so smart about everything, we can almost predict what should come next. It's like we're sitting in the movie called "Life" and we're figuring out inside our head what should come next. It just makes sense right?

But then in Life an unexpected twist happens. And if I'm honest with myself, a lot of the time I don't like the new twist. It's not the logical place to go next. Doesn't God know that I've already figured this thing out? This is how the miracle should happen, this is where Life should go next. Then I complain to God, I question, I argue and complain some more.

But then I'm reminded in such a subtle little way that He is still God. And the question is, "Do I believe that?" Even when I don't understand this new "plot" in life or the direction things are going I have to understand and believe that He is still God.

I still trust Him.
I still believe Him.
I still pray.
I learn to keep my eyes on Him.

I don't need to try and figure everything out, He has that part under control. My job is a job of faith. (And what a HUGE job that is!)

So I still go to movies, even when the movie takes me places I never knew I'd go.
And I still pray. Even when God takes me down roads that I never knew I'd have to go.
And I still believe. That everything works according to His plan and purpose.

How about you?