Is essential to every good story. That dull story that you never retell? People already know what’s going to happen as soon as you begin. That boring novel that you wish you never read? You already knew what was going to happen. It doesn’t have to be a drama; even a good comedy or biography has an element of suspense.
The wonder of what’s coming next is what pulls us to the edge of our seats. The surprise is what makes us feel alive. The unexpected is what we really long for. The mystery is what keeps us coming back for more.
So it is with the story of Jesus. Not only the story of his physical life on earth that we read in the gospels, but also the spiritual life that he lives within us by his spirit that we experience every day. The spiritual life is nothing if not suspenseful, surprising, unexpected, and mysterious.
So if you feel like asking Jesus, “How long will you keep me in suspense?”, be prepared for a life-long answer.
