Life rarely unfolds according to plan.

In fact, our personal dreams are often shattered by unforeseen events that rock our world.

So here's the question. How do we accommodate a divine plan that's diametrically opposed to our own?

Today, on Insight for Living, Chuck Swindall wrestles with this matter in his continuing series

called The Mystery of God's Will. In this next study, we'll see that God's plan, while

sometimes upsetting, always serves a greater purpose in shaping our faith and character.

Chuck titled today's message, Surprised by God. And we begin with prayer.

Lord, it is one thing to sit in a comfortable place, air-conditioned and protected from the elements,

and to read about being surprised in an area that touches us deeply.

I can't imagine what must have gone through Abraham's mind as he bound his son and placed him on an altar and lifted the knife to kill him in obedience to you.

We realize our Father that everything we have is given to us so that we might learn how to release it.

And it's hard for us since we are surrounded by such greed and selfishness and instant gratification,

impatience, and conceit.

It's easy for that to become our way of life.

It's hard, Lord, to obey. It's easy for that to become our way of life. It's hard, Lord, to obey.

It's hard to obey at all costs.

But that is what you require of us.

Help us today our Father never again in our lives to play church.

Just to sing religious words and dance through a morning of meeting people all dressed up and then go home to live the same way.

Get hold of our wills today.

Be pleased with motive behind these gifts as your people support your work

and remind us as we release from our treasure that you really own it all anyway.

...