Expecting the Unexpected – Hope

No glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.

Ephesians 3:20 (TLB)

When I was younger, I used to enjoy lying in the midst of a field of buttercups near us, photographing the cheerful little flowers I loved so much. With my camera I zoomed in and out on the delicate blooms, trying to capture images that expressed how I felt about them. Sometimes I lay on my stomach. Other times I lay on my back, pointing up at them, the blue sky beyond. As I zoomed in and out with my lens, various blooms came in and out of focus, dancing at the ends of their stems. It was always a surprise to see which flowers would come into focus.

One day when I had been focusing on the buttercups, I happened to turn my camera to the right a bit. And, lo and behold, there was a ladybug, climbing up a grass stem. He happened to be in perfect focus. All I had to do was to quietly release the shutter. I was delighted. I love ladybugs and opportunities like this don’t come along often. The picture turned out perfectly.

I’ve always believed we need to expect the unexpected to happen whenever doing photography. I’ve spoken often about this in terms of candid child photography—the kind photography where you allow things to happen freely and naturally instead of making them happen.

When we stay open, explore, and wait expectantly, God can make the most unexpected, wondrous things happen. This is true whether we’re photographing bugs, children, or sunrises.

Can God, in the same way, bring us unexpected, wonderful things we need for our lives?

Maybe we only need to be ready, prayerfully holding our hands open to receive what He might bring us.  Maybe all we need is to expect—to be ready for—the unexpected.

What surprises might God bring us?

In photography, we need to have our cameras out often, always ready. We need to stay open, exploring, expectantly. In our lives we need to stay close to God, open to Him, believing that He could amaze us with something when we least expect it.

God is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or dream of. He brought me a ladybug in close proximity, in perfect focus. If He can do that for a photographer lying in the midst of a field of wildflowers, what surprises can He bring to our day-to-day lives?

Are we ready to receive?

marja