Dear Lord, (Mini Series)

“It makes sense you’re depressed.” I must have made a face upon hearing this statement, because my best friend added: “Oh yeah, I said depression.” Everybody needs a friend who’s equal parts sass and affection. Welcome to the final installment of our mini-series, “Dear God, This Is Not What I Was Expecting.” If you’ve hung with us over the last month, we’ve talked about freaky fish, irritating monkeys, and the life lessons that come from facing the unexpected. We’ve gone at i

I don’t know what you’ve been through or what you’ll continue to go through, but I do know that God is with you every step of the way. He’s not teasing you by hiding things from you, but I also know that He won’t just give you a cheat sheet.

Back in colonial times, the British redcoats were stationed in India. And though they were surrounded by spices and culture, they missed a sacred pastime: golf. There was just one problem they didn’t account for...an animal English golf courses didn’t have...Monkeys. These monkeys would sprint onto the course, snatch the players’ golf balls, and run off with them. Probably laughing. Eventually, they’d chuck the balls somewhere else entirely.

God is not done with what we want to give up on. He's often on paths we would not pick. Speaking through people we do not expect. Connecting dots we would never think to connect. And as we say regularly around here, and will keep on saying to help get it in all our bones: If it is not good, it is not the end. Knowing that can be the difference between going through a process and bailing on one.

We’re diving into a mini-series exploring the reality of following Christ: We will inevitably face the unexpected. Not because Christ is cruel. Or because we're stupid. But because God is always up to something bigger than we can imagine. Here are some foundational ideas to kick off this series.