"I didn't see it coming."

So, how many times have you used or heard someone else use the expression: "I never saw it coming" or the same statement with the subject being he, she, they or we? I know that I have. It's such a perfect way to describe something that happens to someone or some group when an event occurs that totally catches you by surprise. The event, which might be reaaaaaaaaaally bad or reaaaaaaaaaally good, arrives unannounced. Pops up. A "ta dah" moment. Right? I don't think so.

I use three stories to illustrate the peculiar ambiguity of "I didn't see it coming."

I have been reading Judges in the Old Testament and Luke in the New Testament. Now, mind you, the Judges stories come right after the dust of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy and Joshua. And man, from Day 1 EET (Eastern Eden Time) the pages are fraught with some of the most clueless people ever. AN ASIDE: for those of you that are rolling your eyes right now because 1) you have not read any of these, 2) you have read any of these, 3) you think I am getting ready to preach a sermon (well, maybe a little...) or 4) you are certain this is going to be a long read, hang in there. I'll get to it fast.

I am struck by the Israelites' seeming moments of "Huh? Where did this come from?" whenever God would spank them (big hands -- swing real painfully and wide) and then save them (big arms -- embrace real protectively and wide). I have a hunch they might have responded with, "Wow, we didn't see that coming." Good chance they were too busy "having a Baal" and jockeying for "(Asherah) pole position" to remember God's promise (His covenant no less) to protect them and love them and give them (everything) if they would just keep moving in the right direction. Absolutely. Positively. 

So, did they get it? No. Nah. Nope. Nada.

And then, get this, after He sent them to their room for a timeout (400 years making bricks and eating hummus) or had an enemy nation (or two) give them a major body slam...sure enough He'd come to their rescue when they cried out for His help and forgiveness. "OK, I'll save you and give you one more chance to move your lives in the right direction." Absolutely. Positively. 

So, did they get it? No. Nah. Nope. Nada.

And finally, there's always the Maverick Rabbi (no relation to Bart or Brett Maverick: most readers under 40 will need to Google them) and the Dusty Dozen. Luke 22 (not a caliber of the Old West). Passover dinner. Jesus tells them, yet again (after a series of "agains"), of his impending death and promised resurrection. So, one might make the chasm leap of discernment at this juncture that Jesus was about to go through some reaaaaaaaaally bad stuff, including his informing them that the worst snitch of all times, the one who would rat him out to the faith police, was right there at the table. Instead of taking this "subtle" clue and intervening to save him, they go right into arguing and posturing to find out "...which one of them was considered to be the greatest...." They were given all the information they needed to save him or prepare themselves for the horrors that lay ahead if they would think and act in the right direction. 

So, did they get it? No. Nah. Nope. Nada.

MY POINT: 

Since God wrote those great musical verses from Genesis, Don't go under the apple tree with anyone else but me, mankind has been given all the clues as to how to move our actions, decisions and lives in the right direction. We've read the books. Sung the songs. Gone to the meetings. Listened to the speeches. Gone to the wars. Gone to the memorials. Sought the prophets. Searched for the saviors. 

We've made some reaaaaaaaally bad choices. We've cried out for help. And as promised, He keeps delivering more chances for us to move in the right direction. Do you think that maybe these trying times are the perfect time for some reaaaaaaaally good (right) moves. 

OK, so what's the deal with the FedEx logo? 

Have you ever seen or noticed the "arrow" in the FedEx logo? No? Look carefully. Keep looking. It's there. Really. See it? Wow!! Now, I DARE YOU TO TRY AND NOT SEE THE ARROW EVERY TIME YOU NOTICE A FEDEX TRUCK PASING BY. THERE'S NO WAY. ONCE YOU'VE SEEN IT, YOU'LL ALWAYS SEE IT COMING. 

It's moving in the right direction.

For emphasis -  (b)