HE DIDN'T SEE IT COMING

As I grow older, I have more and more life stories floating up from my subconscious. Recently, for whatever reason I don't know, an experience from my elementary days came to mind. I had slipped up behind and was holding one of my classmates when, after briefly struggling vainly, he warned me to let him go. I thought it was all fun and games, but obviously, he did not. Suddenly, he introduced me to an elbow punch. Never heard of one before that day! The unexpected backward elbow to my ribs forced me to obey his previous instructions, which I had been too foolish to understand. Those are the kind of things that make you go, "Whoa, didn't expect that!" Today's post is all about those moments in life where everything flips in an instant. You know, the kind where someone is cruising along, thinking they've got it all figured out, and suddenly, out of left field, life screeches to a halt.

Back in World War II, the world was on edge, but no one quite anticipated the sheer speed and ferocity of the German Blitzkrieg, the "lightning war." The Nazis appeared to have abruptly altered the fundamental principles of warfare overnight. In May 1940, they punched through the Ardennes Forest, a spot the Allies thought was too thick and rugged for tanks. The French and British forces were hunkered down along the Maginot Line, expecting a long, drawn-out slugfest like World War I. But Hitler and his generals? They rewrote the script. They chose not to play by the “rules.”

Tanks, planes, and infantry moved as one unstoppable wave, bypassing strongholds and encircling entire armies. Poland fell in weeks the year before, and now France, a major power, collapsed in just six weeks. The Allied commanders? They didn't see it coming. One minute, they're planning for trench warfare, and the next, they're scrambling as Paris falls. It's a stark reminder that complacency can be deadly. In our own lives, how often do we assume tomorrow will look just like today, only to get blindsided by change? The Blitz teaches us that speed and surprise can rewrite one’s history in the blink of an eye.

I see the Bible as a book full of "plot twists." Within the corpus of those sixty-six books, we see the ebb and flow of human life. For instance, look at the time in ancient Israel, right after King Saul dies. There's a civil war brewing between Saul's son Ishbosheth and David. In 2 Samuel chapter 2, we meet Asahel, a lightning-fast runner who was the brother of Joab, David's top general. Asahel spots Abner, the commander of the opposing forces, and decides to chase him down like a cheetah after a deer.

But Abner is no slouch. He may not be able to run as swiftly as the man pursuing him, but he is experienced and battle-hardened. He even warns Asahel twice: "Turn aside, man! Why should I kill you?" But Asahel has that youthful overconfidence. He's fixated on the glory of taking down a big name. He keeps closing in, and in a split second, Abner stops short and thrusts the butt end of his spear backward, right through Asahel's chest. I can see the look of surprise in Asahel’s eyes as it dawns on him that he was a dead man walking. Asahel didn't see it coming! He was so focused on the pursuit that he missed the danger staring him in the face.

I love this story because it's raw and real. It's not some glorified hero's tale. It's a cautionary one. How many times have we chased after something recklessly, ignoring the warnings, only to get speared by the consequences? Abner's move was defensive, almost reluctant, but it came out of nowhere, it seemed. Life is full of those moments where persistence can turn perilous.

In the Book of Judges, chapter 3, we get another sneaky shocker when we read about Ehud. Israel was under the thumb of the Moabite king named Eglon, a guy described as "very fat." Have you noticed that the Bible doesn't hold back? It does not worry about who it offends. It simply speaks the truth as it is. Here in Judges, the Israelites cry out to God, and He raises up Ehud, a left-handed Benjamite, as their deliverer.

Ehud's plan is straight out of a spy story. He crafts a double-edged dagger, about a cubit long (18 inches), and straps it to his right thigh, under his clothes, where right-handed folks wouldn't think to check. He approaches Eglon under the pretense of delivering tribute and a "secret message of possible treason against the king." The king, curious, orders the room to be cleared. Alone with Ehud, Eglon stands up from his throne... and that's when Ehud strikes. With his left hand, he draws the dagger and plunges it into Eglon's belly. The fat closes over the blade, handle, and all. Eglon didn't see it coming. He was expecting words, not a weapon.

Ehud locks the door, escapes through a window (or porch, depending on the translation), and rallies the Israelites to victory. It's a story of cunning, faith, and the power of the unexpected. Being left-handed in a right-handed world gave Ehud an edge; no pun intended. It makes me think about what "hidden strengths" we may have that could turn the tide in tough situations.

Let’s take these tales as a caution and be ready against what is on the horizon, which is the imminent return of Jesus to Earth. The Bible tries to prepare us in verses like 1 Thessalonians 5:2, where it says He'll come "like a thief in the night." There will be no red carpets or advance press releases. The arrival will be sudden and earth-shaking, occurring in the blink of an eye. And in an hour when you think not, many will not see it coming.

The Blitz was a military thunderbolt. Asahel's end was a personal shock. Ehud's attack was a political assassination. But Jesus' return? It's cosmic. Celestial beings will be readily seen by terrestrial-bound humans. Every eye shall behold Him. Revelation paints a picture of Him descending with armies of heaven, judging evil, and setting up a kingdom of peace. For those who aren't ready, it'll be the ultimate "just didn't see that coming." But for believers, it's a promise of hope, like Ehud's deliverance, but on a global scale.

In Matthew 24, Jesus warns about signs but emphasizes readiness. "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." It's not about fear-mongering or calamity howling. It's about living with purpose. In a world full of uncertainties, pandemics, wars, and chaos in the streets, this hope keeps me grounded. Are we prepared for the biggest surprise of all? History and Scripture are filled with these moments, given to remind us to stay alert, embrace the unexpected, and perhaps not chase trouble without a backup plan.

What do you think? Ever had a "blindsided" moment that changed everything? Drop a comment below. I'd love to hear your stories. Until next time, keep your eyes open and your faith strong. Thanks for reading!