Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!

Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!

I can do everything through him who gives me strength
(Philippians 4:13)

TIME Magazine carried and article that told about NASA launching the exploratory space probe Pioneer 10 in 1972. Reporter, Leon Jaroff explained that the primary mission of Pioneer 10 was to beam data back to earth about Jupiter’s magnetic field, radiation belts, and atmosphere. Scientists regarded this as a bold venture, for at that time no earth satellite had ever gone beyond Mars. Some scientists feared the asteroid belt would destroy the satellite before it could reach its target. But Pioneer 10 accomplished its mission and much, much more.
Swinging past the giant planet in November 1973, Jupiter’s immense gravity hurled Pioneer 10 at a higher rate of speed toward the edge of the solar system. At one billion miles from the sun, Pioneer 10 passed Saturn. At some two billion miles, it hurtled past Uranus; Neptune at nearly three billion miles; Pluto at almost four billion miles. By 1997, twenty-five years after its launch, Pioneer 10 was more than six billion miles from the sun. And despite that immense distance, Pioneer 10 continued to beam back radio signals to scientists on Earth. “Perhaps most remarkable,” writes Jaroff, “those signals emanate from an 8-watt transmitter, which radiates about as much power as a bedroom night light, and takes more than nine hours to reach Earth.”
Engineers designed Pioneer 10 with a useful life of just three years. But it kept going and going. By simple longevity, its tiny 8-watt transmitter radio accomplished more than anyone thought possible. Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!
You and I are capable of being more and doing more. Because we do not know the potential of God’s design for our lives, we should reach for the highest and the best. How do we do that? Begin with what the Lord has given you. Accept the fact that your maker endowed you with certain unique abilities so that you may accomplish his good and perfect will in your life. Believe with all your heart that here is none like you. There are people who would respond to you more readily than to others. Given who you are, and your unique circumstances there are people in need that only you may be able to reach. Do not be surprised when God puts, in your hands, the cup of cold water for some thirsty soul. God has given you all that you need to do more in life; he has also given the opportunities.
Its time for some surprise. If you are into Bruce Springsteen music you may enjoy:
Well, surprise, surprise, surprise
Yea, surprise, surprise, surprise
Well, surprise, surprise
C’mon open your eyes and let your love shine down
Well, surprise, surprise, surprise
Yea, surprise, surprise, surprise
Well, surprise, surprise
C’mon open your eyes and let your love shine down
You may listen to it at: ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUwrVISlc7s).
This year, let us stretch out into a life that exists beyond our self imposed limitations. May we know that as the Lord leads and opportunities are give, God himself would be there with all-sufficient grace to help us over come whatever rising doubts and fears we may have. Trust the Lord to hold your hand, steady your nerve, and guide your feet. Burning deep within each soul is the candle of the Lord. Through the energy it provides we may do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us ( Ephesians 3:20).