Surprised into belief

We really do spend a lot of time waiting for things.  Sometimes things come out exactly as we thought.  But really most often, it*s a surprise.  And with God, it*s Really a Surprise.  The Messiah was not who they thought He would be.  The Holy Spirit showed up way more than a Comforter.  We seek ways to brace ourselves, and to be as fully open as we can be.   As the disciples discovered, and we discover time and again, it helps to have company. 

We spend a lot of time in wait.

Usually we think we know

What we are waiting for.

Today is the Sunday in between.

Jesus has gone.

I think about all the pictures

Of His feet hanging out of a cloud,

The disciples looking up.

They were instructed to wait

In Jerusalem.

The Comforter would come

Wait for the Comforter,

They were told.

Just as Jesus was not quite the Messiah

They thought they were going to get,

The Holy Spirit was surely not quite the Presence

They thought was coming

Either.

It is always a surprise.

Sometimes I wait for things with my eyes shut.

This one calls for eyes wide open

Hands outstretched.

Even in this proper prayer posture

I know

I will be surprised

Into belief.