I don’t read novels or watch movies much anymore, but I used to enjoy a good mystery; one that kept me in suspense until the very end. On TV, I still watch old episodes of Columbo or Perry Mason, but I never liked the fact that you see the crime first and then watch how the criminal is finally brought to justice. It is too much like reading the last chapter first. I have friends who are into prophesy (Biblical and modern) and there is certainly nothing wrong with that. But as for me, I just look up and pray, “Surprise me, Lord!” Although, I have to admit I have taken a peek at the last chapter of the Book and I know how this story ends.
You don’t have to turn to fiction writers to find good mysteries. There are plenty of real life mysteries all around us. Mankind has uncovered many of the mysteries in God’s creation through scientific investigation, but it seems like with every new discovery there are new questions to be answered. I have found the same to be true in the development of my spiritual relationship with God.
Paul wrote about the mystery of the Good News of Jesus Christ. As a devout Jew, he found it amazing and mysterious that the Jewish Messiah that God promised through the prophets had died and rose to life again to provide salvation to Gentile as well as Jewish believers. What was even more mysterious to him was the fact that God planned it that way from the very beginning. (1 Corinthians 2:7 and Ephesians 3:9)
David found it mysterious that the Creator of the Universe would even take time to care about mankind, much less care about him personally. (Psalms 8:4) I think every Christian finds that a mystery as well. Even when I became aware of what Jesus did to secure my salvation; I was still faced with the mystery of why He would go through all of that for me. The Vacation Bible School teacher who prayed with me at the altar that day long ago gave me the answer to that mystery, but it took quite a while living with God’s Holy Spirit inside me for it to fully sink in. She quoted John 3:16 inserting my name. “For God so loved Jim Anderson that He gave his only begotten Son, so that when Jim Anderson believes in Him, Jim Anderson will not perish but have eternal life.” She asked me if I believed that and I said, “Yes, I do”. She then told me that all I had to do was repent of my sins; ask God to come into my heart; and then allow Him to guide me on the path He wants me to walk. Thus began my personal relationship with my Lord.
Love is why He cares about and died for me and for every single person who believes in and follows Jesus Christ. After all of these years of experiencing it, I still cannot grasp the full scope and depth of God’s love. I know that when I finally enter His full presence, there will be no more questions or mysteries; living forever in the fullness of His powerful love for me, for you and for each and every one of His sons and daughters.