Have you sought advice, and been given a totally unexpected reply? I had just such a delightful encounter last week. We have all been suffering from cold & flu bugs recently and even the dog developed a worrying cough. So I phoned my vet's receptionist for advice, and after a short conversation about such wonderfully relevant topics as my dog's age, back came the confident answer, "No problem. Your dog needs worming tablets".
Yes, worming tablets! Some of you long-term dog owners will no doubt be nodding your heads sagely, but to me that advice was so counter-intuitive that it had me gurgling like a drain. They say that the essence of humour lies in the unexpected, and I have, if nothing else, an over-developed sense of the ridiculous. Of course I considered a second opinion, and my contrariness - or perhaps it was her air of authority - made me go for it. And what do you know - she was right!!
God often speaks through humour, and there was something about that lovely incident that held my attention. We can sometimes over spiritualise things, but God was drawing me out on this one, in a way that I couldn't ignore. What does it teach me about Him, and my responses to the answers He gives?
Our God is a God of surprises. He loves to surprise and delight his children, just as we do. There may be someone who is searching God for something; don't rule out the unexpected answer. Or, God may be moving in a way that you don't understand, or He may be asking you to do something, which at this moment in time seems to be counter - intuitive. Yes, often we are expected to use our common-sense, and God will also never, but never, ask us to do anything that is contrary to what He reveals to us in scripture. But sometimes He chooses to bless us in unexpected ways, and sometimes through the unlikeliest of people, and events. All He needs is our willing co-operation.
The wedding at Cana was just such an event. Wouldn't you have loved to be present? I would love to know exactly what those servants were thinking that day!
Picture the scene. The bridegroom is about to be embarrassed because there is no more wine. Mary tells Jesus, and also tells the servants to do exactly what he tells them. They recognise his authority; perhaps he has supplies elsewhere that they must fetch? But no, he tells them to fill the jars with water & then draw some off and give it to their supervisor. Why? Perhaps they could be forgiven at this point for wondering if he is having a joke at their expense. Not all supervisors have a sense of humour! However, they obey him and the water is turned into wine!
