Gobsmacked by God

Dear Friends,

Last Wednesday morning, my day started with a bang. Literally! As I was walking Java down South Ocean Boulevard at 6:00 a.m. — in the dark, thanks to daylight savings — I whacked my head on a palm tree sticking out into the sidewalk.

You should know three things: First, I’m fine. Small bruise, hard head, no big deal. Second, I was not on my phone! Just in my head thinking about the day to come. Third, hitting your head on a palm tree gains no sympathy from friends and family up north who are desperately waiting for spring to arrive.

But this experience reminded me that there are times in our lives when we do get whacked over the head by God. Not literally, of course (unless you’re Goliath). But sometimes God shakes us out of the reverie of our routine and invites us to contemplate the wonder of God’s love, the beauty of God’s grace, the awe of God’s creation. 

These moments happen unexpectedly. Sometimes it’s a line from Scripture or a hymn verse we hear during worship that makes us sit up and take notice. Sometimes it’s an interaction with a friend that invites us to change the way we view the world. Sometimes an awareness of God’s presence arises from deep within our soul while sitting in traffic at the middle bridge.

This season of Lent allows and encourages such moments. It helps to be open to them, of course. But the thing about being gobsmacked by God is that it so often happens when we least expect it. It takes us by surprise and reminds us that we’re not, actually, in full control of our lives. We exert influence, certainly, but God is the one who is ultimately in charge. And sometimes a stark reminder of this is exactly what we need in the moment.

The good news about hitting your head on a palm tree in the dark is that no one else saw me do it. Small mercies abound.

Peace,

Tim+