Expect The Unexpected!

The Bible records that Jesus appears to His disciples after His resurrection in John 20:19-31. The Disciples were, John tells us, locked in their room "for fear of the Jews." Respectively we understand their initial fears of the Jewish leaders and subsequent joy when they laid eyes on Jesus. John accounts for us their waning emotions and differing responses, both believing and disbelieving.

When was the last time you expected something unexpected? An old friend came by to visit...a gift of money...a promotion on your job...Jesus showed up...and the list goes on. Change is painful. We too are not immune from the same responses the disciples encountered. What happens to us is about us. Even so when change happens, Jesus still reminds us as He did the disciples, "Fear not."

But the greater question is how do we respond when change happens to us? Even when the command given from Jesus is "fear not". Is your response still fear, doubt, disbelief to these changes? What would it take for you to not fear change when it presents itself?

The disciples as you recall had just experienced the death. burial and resurrection of their Savior, Jesus the Christ. Can we blame them for being afraid for believing that the same thing would happen to them as well? What can we learn from their responses when Jesus shows up? How will you respond to the presence of Christ in your life? Yes, change is painful!

Remembering this, Jesus appears to the disciples not just to appear but that they would believe. Believe that He is a risen Savior!

Can we say this about all unexpected changes in our lives? That when these changes appear, they also come that we may believe? Believe that Jesus presence in our lives needs a response. Yes, change is painful, but a necessary part of helping us respond to the presence of God in our lives.

When will you see Jesus?

The Walking Dead (The Zombie Complex)

The music snarls very loud with high and low pitches followed by a sound of a woman desperately clutching at her clothes, while her face is grimaced in an uncontrollable series of eerie expressions of sheer fright. From the corner of the shadows of the densely populated trees in the forest, we get a glimpse of why the woman's face is in  sheer agony and terror. Straight ahead with arms outstretched, an almost unimaginable beast charring an expression of pure horror, seeks to do his master's will....shrieks and more shrieks as the woman realizes their is no escape....from a life ending in pure domination and control.....she knows her fate is sealed, no more will she be able to control her own thoughts......emotions....

 Believe it or not this scenario is not limited to dark horror movies, but is played out in the hearts and minds of people just like you and me everyday. How many times have you stumbled out of bed into the bathroom, back to bedroom, and then in a fog barely make it downstairs or around the corner to kitchen, for your pick-up yes--coffee. I introduce  you to the Zombie Complex-yes- I know you don't want to be called a zombie. Think about it and the scenario I just painted, aren't you dead if your eyes are not opened, feet barely walking, thoughts not clear, not fully awake, somewhere between here and there, certainly you're not alive.

Too many times our lives are played out like a zombie with outstretched arms, bidding his master's deceitful,and treacherous orders. Sorry to be the one to break the bad news, there's nothing alive about a zombie. The very thing we allowed free reign in controlling us now wants, to make us his Zombie.

Guess what, our spiritual lives resemble this when we refuse, ignore, perpetrate to leave dead issues alone.  We in turn become dead issues ambassadors,  spokesperson, it's representative and give to these dead issues the authority to walk around and prey on the fertile feeding grounds they have not planted.

Isn't it time to stop letting others control your heart, mind, body and soul? We give up so much when we allow others to control us. I wouldn't leave my self open to the control of others.  Who is controlling you? Do you know?

Yeah, Janet Jackson said it best, Control.    http:www.sylviajoyner@twitter.com