Unexpected guests are not something most people want. In fact I am sure that there are those people who have intentionally went into another room, turned out the lights and hid until the knocking on the door had ceased and the car had driven away. I've done that. Most of the time we choose this reaction to the local Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses, process servers, and maybe even law enforcement (I haven't done that). Unwanted guests are seldom seen as a blessing, Have you ever had anyone who shows up at your house just before a meal? What are you going to do? You do the obligatory "let's set another plate at the table" thing and move on. The resentment may linger but you did what you thought was right. Sometimes the unexpected guests are the abandoned cats and dogs that people drop off in your neighborhood. They know someone will care for them. You! The younger the pet the greater the chance that someone will keep them for their own. Children bringing home that "cute kitten" from their friends house are hard to resist. Yet, the unexpected hits our living situation, budget and patience. Unexpected guests and pets leave behind the need for you and I to clean up after they go. For the humans that means doing the dishes and whatever else is used in the home. For the pets it's the scooper and carpet cleaner.
The more we get to know people the better we are at predicting their behavior. There is that neighbor who only comes over and is friendly when they need your help, your tool, or your transportation. There at those who come over because they want to give you something like Girl Scout cookies! The Bible tells us to care for the stranger in our midst. The Bible also says that we are unaware but at times are entertaining angels. Perhaps the unexpected guest, the inconvenient homeless beggar or the one asking to use your phone is a test of whether you and I will rise to the occasion? That begs the larger question of what our motivation in life is and whether that motivation is from God or from man. Keep in mind that even Jesus took a break from the crowds AND the disciples! We too need to balance what is going on in our lives to make sure we are focused on Jesus instead of just surviving. Listening to the heart and the Gospel message on a regular basis reminds us that we are here for a purpose. That purpose is to be a reflection of Jesus. Are these really my tools, do I really need that last dollar in my wallet, is it really MY time that I'm trying to protect? What do we believe and how do we react to the unexpected intrusion/visit/opportunity is all validation of whether we are reflecting Jesus or ourselves.
Growing up in the Midwest on a farm provided lots of "lessons" about the unexpected. It wasn't unusual for a neighbor to drop in from time to time. We never locked our homes, kept the keys in the vehicles and tractors, and the gas pump was available to those who had run out of gas. This was all whether we were home or not. Our neighbors did the same thing. You never know what will happen but you do know you can count on your neighbor. When the unexpected neighbor rushes into your yard you know something is wrong and they need help. When it's an ambling drive down your road you're probably going to need a fresh pot of coffee. Regardless, the Midwest mindset was to entertain and help regardless.
Should we even begin to visualize that Jesus is completely and fully aware of the intentions and motivations of our minds and hearts, we would begin to rethink where and what comes out when we have unexpected people with unexpected expectations. Sometimes all we can do is listen and other times we can provide food while yet at other times we can help with the emergency. When we walk down the street or hear the knock on our door, are we ready to do what the Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts to do? Are we willing to embrace rather than resist? Do we look at how little we have or do we know how much God can provide? Well, that's what I want us to consider today. It was nice of you to drop in! Come again!
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