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Unexpected Joy

Susan Boyle’s appearance on the TV show “Britain’s got Talent” has made her an overnight success. In fact, her performance is one of the most watched videos on “YouTube”. (If you have not seen it, please look it up).

When Boyle walks on the stage and introduces herself, Simon Cowell (of “American Idol” fame) gives her a look that indicates that he does not expect much from her. She is not dressed for the part. She makes silly jokes and acts as if she is very nervous. The crowd laughs at her. One girl rolls her eyes. Then Susan starts to sing.

The best part of the video is the look on Simon’s face after he hears the first three notes. He literally lights up with surprise and joy. As Susan continues to sing, the crowd begins to cheer and gives her a standing ovation. One of the hosts of the show turns to the camera and shouts, “You didn’t expect that, did you? Did you? No!” At the end of her performance, the crowd erupts. It is absolutely amazing!

After seeing that video several times, I still get chills when she starts to sing. The surprise of that moment is simply incredible. No one expected that lady to do what she did. The “unexpected” is an amazing thing.

I often say that I wish we could be brainwashed to forget everything we know about Jesus and the Bible, because I think that we would be similarly shocked and amazed by the unexpected message that we heard. Look at a few examples.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:1-3)

“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ” (Galatians 3:26-27).

Those passages (and many more) would blow us away if we heard them for the first time. They would bring smiles to our faces and hope to our hearts.

Do not let your familiarity with those words steal the “Joy” and “Surprise” from them!

God, through his Son and his Spirit, has done, and continues to do, the most unexpected of things. He has paid the price and he is calling us home!

That should make us want to cheer!

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