Whether the programme is Morse, Lewis, Marple, Poirot, Maigret or any other whodunit there are usually many different characters who could have committed the crime and often clues left that point in their direction.
Then when it comes to actually uncovering the criminal something totally unexpected is revealed – a past connection or a reason for revenge – and then hopefully everything makes sense.
Unexpected things often happen in real life too.
Some years ago I had the privilege of working for a short time in the United States where a significant amount of travel was required.
A number of times that involved travelling via Memphis Airport in Tennessee, near Elvis Presley’s mansion Graceland and close to the home of the blues and country and western music.
At that time music was played over the public address system at each airport and so I expected Elvis, blues or country and western music when I walked into the terminal off the aircraft in Memphis but much to my surprise instead I heard Mozart! I never did discover why.
Life often seems to produce unexpected and unwanted experiences, like a loss of health for ourselves or a family member; a loss of a loved one in the prime of life; a loss of what was thought to be a secure job; and a family disagreement that comes out of nowhere to which there seems no easy resolution.
I’m so glad that the Bible tells me that when these things happen that we have a heavenly Father who knows, understands and cares.
In John’s first letter we read God is Love and Paul tells us in Romans that nothing in all creation will ever separate us from this love.
Jesus demonstrated this in His passion which we remembered a short while ago at Easter and during His life He touched many lives transforming them from sadness into joy and giving hope when all seemed lost.
God’s love is sure and He is always just a prayer away. He is unchanging and that’s a real comfort because the unexpected may just be around the corner.
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. 1 John 4 verse 16.
Philip
