Infinitum Advent Suprised by God, Week 4Shembull

When was the last time you had to let go of a great expectation without knowing what was on the other side? We face unmet expectations on the regular - ranging from the small misses like a cancelled appointment to a vacation that our job encroached on, to a relationship that didn’t work out, or a scary health diagnosis. We are, by nature, planners … anticipators … expectation setters. Joseph (Jesus’ adoptive father) was no different. He had a plan: marry a good, up-standing girl, live near their families, and begin building their life with him as a carpenter. Then the surprising work of God shows up to him in a dream: your fiance is pregnant, but this is good news for you and the world. Go with it. While not all of us will face the surprise of an unplanned pregnancy or the news that we’ll be raising the Son of God, we all face moments like this. It is the nature of being co-creators with a surprising God. Joseph demonstrates what it takes to partner with God in His mission: surrender, generosity, and a sense of commitment to the work of God (mission). Today, rather than reading more to get ourselves into Joseph’s story or posture, let’s take a walk outside, looking for ways God is already working in your neighbourhood. Chat with Him about the big and small things He is doing in your proximity, acknowledging the reality that part of the surprising work of God is how much is happening well beyond what we generally tune into. As you walk along, chat with Him about how you can join Him in His surprising work instead of asking Him to bless your own plans. Thank you for following this Advent Bible reading plan with Infinitum. Please visit [ https://infinitumlife.com ](https://infinitumlife.com/) to learn more about the Infinitum Life.