Unexpected Places

Throughout history God has always chosen the small to shame the big, and the weak to shame the strong. Whether it was Gideon’s army of 300 going against the entire Midianite army, or a little shepherd boy going against the giant Goliath, or a poor widow woman being honored above all the gift givers in the temple, God has worked in unexpected ways, and His glory has been demonstrated in unexpected places.

Indeed, who would ever have expected that his greatest glory would be revealed not in a conquering king, but in a tiny baby born in an obscure stable in a tiny outpost of the Roman empire? Who would have guessed that His greatest power would be demonstrated not in armies and weapons, but in the frailty of a man being nailed to a cross in apparent defeat.

So we approach life with a different outlook, understanding that when we want to see God at work we must not look in the obvious places. His greatest work happens not in the big, but in the small, and His majesty is revealed in the lowest, broken human hearts.

The following is an audio sample (just the chorus) from the song "Unexpected Places". The complete lyrics follow.

Unexpected Places
I gaze upon the stars of heaven And find Your glory there
But none of these could ever shine so bright Or ever compare
To One who left His glory For low humility
And took the shame of mortal man To save humanity

Your shame is the glory Far brighter than the heavens
Your frailty is power Far deeper than the oceans
In small things Your majesty That’s higher than the mountains
I find all Your greatness in unexpected places

And when I look upon the mighty seas I find Your power there
But winds and crashing waves and raging storms Will never compare
To power in Your frailty And strength in Your cross
To life that lost in saving us And life that’s saved in loss

Your shame is the glory Far brighter than the heavens
Your frailty is power Far deeper than the oceans
In small things Your majesty That’s higher than the mountains
I find all Your greatness in unexpected places

On far horizons where the mountains rise Your majesty is there
But streams and rolling hills and distant peaks Could never compare
To greatness of the One who dwells In sinful, broken hearts
Who raises up the humble one And brings the proud to naught

Your shame is the glory Far brighter than the heavens
Your frailty is power Far deeper than the oceans
In small things Your majesty That’s higher than the mountains
I find all Your greatness in unexpected places