This week, both of my children had unexpected events happen at their places of work. For one, it will be an adjustment but for the other, a life decision will need to be made. Interestingly, I was also presented with two job opportunities that warrant consideration.

How will it all pan out? I’m not sure yet I do know that as one door closes, God opens others. We may not fully understand the purpose of these changes for some time, but if we stay close to God in prayer, He will direct our steps (Proverbs 16:9).

I suspect as the apostles were going about their daily lives, they were not expecting Jesus to show up on the scene. They were just living life, taking care of their families, going to work, eating, sleeping and then one day – boom! The Son of God appears and says “Follow Me.”

Each of them dropped everything. Packed their bags and headed on a three and a half year “road trip” with Jesus. During that time, they saw signs, wonders, and miracles. They witnessed the profound teaching and preaching never heard before. As they saw other people’s lives transformed, they too were changed.

While the days were dotted with the miraculous, there were likely many “regular” days, filled with walking, eating, sleeping. I bet they each thought this would be the modus operandi going forward. But then just as they were getting used to having Jesus by their side 24/7, one day, He was gone.

Despite Jesus telling the apostles that His death would happen, they didn’t get it. They didn’t understand. However, when they saw Him resurrected three days later, the light bulb went off and it all made sense.

All of the teachings. All of the miracles. All of the events of the past three plus years made sense.

Jesus came to show them that He was the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). Jesus opened the door for anyone to have full and unfettered access to our Father in heaven.

Now, the apostles had a new job. No longer students of the Master, they were to go out and do exactly what Jesus did. Actually, greater things.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” (John 14:12 NKJV)

Within days of Jesus’ departure, Peter became an amazing preacher of the Word. A blue collar, fisherman – a regular Joe – is now preaching the Gospel message to thousands. The others followed suit and people were healed. People were delivered from oppression. People were brought into right relationship with God.

I’m certain that the apostles never imagined this for their lives. Peter likely presumed he’d be a fisherman his entire life. But God had something else in mind. Something better. Peter became a fisher of men (Matthew 4:19).

It’s been said that we live life forward but understand it backward. So true! We may not fully comprehend the events of our lives in the present moment, but in time, it will all come together like a beautiful puzzle.

Unexpected things may come our way – some good, some not so good. But here’s what we can bank on. God takes the good, bad, and the ugly and turns them all into good (Romans 8:28). I don’t know how He does it, but He does.

Somehow He takes the scattered puzzle pieces of our lives and makes a beautiful picture. He knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10), He has a great plan for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11), and He will see them to completion (Philippians 1:6).

So when the unexpected happens, don’t be alarmed. Know that God’s got this. Because He does.

Let’s trust God with the unexpected this week!

P.S. If you’ve been hit with the “unexpected”, and want to learn more about how God will work it all out, I invite you to watch or listen to the Elevate The Day Podcast, “How God Makes It Up To You.” Whatever we are going through, God will use it for our good and for His glory.