Expect the Suddenly: From Ordinary to Overflow: Living Ready for the Unexpected (PART 1) by Rev. Maria Guzman

Hello Brave Hearted Steppers,

I pray this theme has blessed your lives as it has mine so far this month! Thank you, Lissette Camacho, for kicking off this month with your blog post! True blessing!

As believers, we are called to live with an open heart, expectant of the unexpected. God's promises are often fulfilled in ways we least expected, and His suddenlies can bring us from ordinary to overflow in the blink of an eye. The question is not whether God will move; He is always working, but are we ready to receive when He does?

"On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting." Acts 2:1-2 NLT

These Bible verses mark one of the many powerful moments in the New Testament. The Holy Spirit shows up suddenly. There was nothing grand about the room they were gathered in. It was just an ordinary day, with ordinary people. BUT, their hearts were ready.

The disciples were waiting for God's promise, praying and trusting. When the moment came, they were positioned for the overflow of His presence.

1. From Ordinary to Overflow - The Power of Preparedness

We all have "ordinary" moments in our lives. Times when everything feels routine, predictable, and sometimes even mundane. BUT God is not limited by the ordinary. He can take our everyday situations and turn them into something extraordinary.

Just like the disciples gathered in the upper room, you might be going about your day-to-day living, working, caring for your family, studying, or handling tasks at hand. You might feel like you're checking off your to-do list and going through the motions. BUT in the midst of it, there is a God who is ready to suddenly step into your situation. 

"That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT

This Bible verse reminds us that God's plans for us go beyond what we can even imagine. And sometimes, His plans unfold in the most surprising ways. When we are open and expectant, He takes us from ordinary to the overflow, from barely making it to abundantly living out our purpose.

Last week, at my local church's (Iglesia de Dios Centro de Vida/Church of God Center of Life in Bridgeport, CT) prayer and Bible study, we talked about Dare to Change in the World of the End. The teacher, Rebecca Rivera, gave the study, "In a world of betrayal, I will be faithful." In her study, she brought Joseph as one of her examples.

Let's think about Joseph in the Old Testament. From being betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, betrayed by Potiphar's wife, and imprisoned, he could've easily given up hope. BUT even in the lowest of lows, Joseph was ready for the suddenly. And when the moment came, God elevated him to a place of honor in Egypt, where he was able to save nations (Genesis 41:14-16). One minute he was in a pit, the next he was second in command. 

Joseph's life illustrates that God can move you from despair to overflow when your heart is steadfast and ready. You may not always see how He is working behind the scenes, but He is preparing something greater than you can comprehend.

Brave Hearted Steppers, here are some reflection questions you can meditate on during your prayer time with the Lord:

1. Are you moving through life with expectancy?

2. Is your Brave Heart positioned for God's suddenly?

Thank you for joining me for Part 1 of our "From Ordinary to Overflow" series. I pray this encourages you to keep your Brave Heart ready, even in life's most ordinary moments. God loves to surprise us when we least expect it! Stay tuned for Part 2, where we'll explore what it means to live with expectancy every day.

Many Blessings!

Rev. Maria Guzman

Founder of Brave Hearted Ministry