Surprises, basketball, and cheese fondue....

While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade. When Peter saw this, he said to them: "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? Why Acts 3:11-12 NIV

In the previous verses, Peter had just healed a crippled man in the name of Jesus. The crippled man walked and praised God to the awe of the Jews watching.

Peter asks a couple of very provocative questions here, but personally, I didn't get past the first one for a long time. Look at the first question. It's the one the Holy Spirit asked me as I read it.

Why does this surprise you?

I've had all these answered prayers lately... left and right they've been answered, and they've been answered huge. In ways beyond what I've thought could (or should, according to me!) happen. But what I am more surprised at, if I'm honest, is that they were heard.

Why does this surprise you?

Oh, dear Father, I confess my unbelief! Help me in my unbelief! Here I've been praying like I've been pitching out these random cries that maybe, just maybe You might hear them inbetween all the other things and people you think about and, oh, You're so busy, and well, are You even concerned? Are you there, God, it's me, Jen? I've been calling out to You and You answered!

Peter asked this question to the Jews. They were God's chosen people. Their ancestors had witnessed the great and mighty wonders that He had done... They'd seen His outstretched arm... they'd seen the pillar of fire and the cloud to lead them. They'd eaten manna. For goodness' sakes, they themselves had just seen Jesus, their promised Messiah, die, be resurrected, and be raised back to heaven. Just as God had said. The pentecost had happened six hours earlier. They'd been a part of the miracles of God. Yet, they were surprised that God did it again.

Why is it so hard to get that I am his chosen child too? That I am DEARLY loved. Dearly heard! Why do I not believe that miracles and answered prayer can come my way too once in a while, or very often if I let them? Why is it that I am surprised that what I pitch out to him from the far end of the court at the buzzer actually could make a difference in the final score? Crazy, random, desperate shots that have no real strength to reach even past midcourt land, swish, in the basket!

It's, and I think only it's because I have no real concept of the size of the basket. I think I sometimes see it as small, far away, and with many very tall obstacles and elbows all trying their hardest to make sure it doesn't get there, or even stop me from attempting the shot. I think all God wants me to do is just throw it up in the right direction. I think He loves when we score one for His glory. I think even more I have been enjoying when I've been praying with someone else, and we score. We get to do a little spiritual high-five! Yay GOD!!

Which brings me to the second question. May it never be that I think I'm the star. That I have anything to do with it other than my willingness to take the shot, and wait for the basket to be HUGE. May it never be that I think that it's me who should get any glory for what God does when He chooses to use me. I know that when I spoke at the tea last Sunday, many people were praying for me. I felt so covered in the Spirit it felt like I was dipped in the cheese fondue of prayer... totally coated in comfort and protection and wisdom. I never want to forget that feeling that it was all Him.

Lord, help me know that the prayers I think are big and crazy and desperate, sometimes are really just slam dunks from Your perspective. Help me to rest in Your promises to me, and let me not be surprised that you answer, but in how! :)