How predictable is your faith walk? Here’s why I ask. A well-known adage goes like this:

High predictability = Low Impact; Low predictability = High impact.

I think most of us would agree with this; generally speaking, we remember best events that came as a complete surprise or appeared in some new way.

This is a challenge for followers of Jesus as we seek to impact the world for Him. If we just do the prescribed religious duties we’ve been taught to do over the years—attend church regularly, pay our tithes, avoid questionable activities, and support what’s safe and predictable—we’ll have little impact on our culture. It’s not that we should not do these things, but we should also be looking for opportunities to do the unexpected … the over the top, “going the second mile” things that’ll speak volumes to the people who are watching.

Jesus taught this principle and also practiced it. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles” (Matthew 5:38-41). This is why He had such high impact. He didn’t say or do what the religious leaders of His day were saying or doing. He came as a breath of fresh air into the stale legalism of His time. His message was unique, unpredictable, surprising, and best of all, life changing.

His most memorable parables were those that had surprise endings and characters that didn’t respond as we would expect them to. The father in the Prodigal Son story didn’t punish his wayward son for his sinful behavior or banish him from the family blessing. Instead, he welcomed him back home with over-the-top love and generosity. The story of the Good Samaritan featured a hero from a despised group for the Jewish people—a Samaritan. In the story he showed compassion for his Jewish “enemy” who’d been beaten and robbed, taking him to get help and supplying the money to pay for his recovery. No one in Jesus’ audience would have predicted this kind of scenario or even wanted to hear it, for that matter. It went against everything they’d been taught. But we can be sure that the parable impacted them in a big way. They would have pondered its meaning from that point on.

Even heroism has become predictable today. We expect “heroes” to come to the rescue of what we see as acceptable groups and causes. This ensures they’ll receive immediate approval. Soldiers are expected to risk themselves for their fellow combatants during times of war and citizens in peace time are expected to help out in disasters, rescue animals, do volunteer work in Third World countries, run soup kitchens and food pantries, advocate for at-risk individuals, and openly protest injustice. Often these peace-time activities are done with a camera close by, so we can record our good deeds for the world to see. After all, why waste a good photo op? But here again, these prescribed heroic acts have limited impact. After a while, they’re seen (especially if done by Christians) as self-serving and disingenuous. People in the world figure the “good deeds” are more about us than the people we’re serving.

The answer to this problem of low impact isn’t to find the next big impactful thing that we can say or do to gain the world’s attention. Rather, it’s to watch for opportunities to better reflect the teachings of Jesus. It’s to listen to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit when He prompts us to put into practice the unpredictable, extravagant, and lifechanging principles of God’s kingdom.

The literary and historical heroes we remember best are those whose behavior was so out of the box that we struggled to understand why they would choose to do such a thing. One such example is Bishop Myriel in Les Misérables, who not only sheltered Jean Valjean (a former convict) for the night but also kept him from being arrested after Valjean stole his silverware. People would expect the bishop to uphold the law and allow Valjean to suffer the consequences of his actions. Instead, he rewards his behavior by giving him a pair of candlesticks too. Why would he do such a surprising thing? He tells Jean that his soul has been purchased for God and urges him to use the money from the candlesticks to make an honest man of himself. As the story goes on to show, giving someone a second chance is far more impactful than following prescribed rules of conduct. “Mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13).

When we are led by the Spirit of God to show in a practical way how we’ve been changed by the grace of God, we become the hands and feet of Jesus. We reflect the amazing generosity and loving kindness of the Lord, which is so high above the standards of the world that people who see it are deeply touched. As we yield ourselves to Him, we find that we are able—by His power—to do what people of the world would never choose to do. We can’t boast about it, though. We know that in our natural state, we would be just as self-serving as anyone else.

But when we’re God’s willing servants, we can say, as Mary did, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38). If we think about all that Jesus gave to us and the world at large—His teachings, way of life, substitutionary death, and powerful resurrection—we must recognize that it all came at great cost to both Mary and Joseph. Their obedience to God, their willingness to raise Jesus in their household amid misunderstanding, ridicule, and scorn from the people around them, was an incalculable blessing to everyone who came after them—including us.

The best description of a “hero” is to prioritize the wellbeing of another life over our own. When we see the welfare of other people as more important than our own comfort and reputation, we can live in a way that positively impacts the culture around us. Those who watch our lives will ask: Why is he doing that? What would motivate her to be so sacrificial? Our way of life should invoke a good kind of surprise, prompting them to examine their own hearts. In a world like ours, the predictable and ho-hum Christian life is not going to make any inroads. Rule following isn’t a bad thing, but it’s not impactful. We need to watch for the opportunities that will arise from time to time that enable us to show people how God’s kingdom is a complete departure from everything taught by secular culture. The Gospel offers the world a better way to live, a higher calling, a life of sacrifice that’s accompanied by joy and peace. Jesus is both unpredictable and winsome, and those who represent Him should be too!

Watching for divine opportunities to show the glory of God requires us to be fully committed to His ways, submitted to His plans, and open in our approach to spiritual life. What He asks us to do will often feel uncomfortable. It may invite the ridicule of the world. It may cost us something personally. But if we will choose to trust Him, He will use our obedience in surprising ways to impact the world for Jesus.

“You are the light of the world. … Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14, 16).

Father, help me to recognize opportunities to show your amazing love, generosity, and mercy in unexpected ways. Give me spiritual insight so I can glorify you, not myself. Forgive me for my selfish, safe, and predictable approach to spiritual life. Transform me through the power of your Spirit so I can be used to impact others for you. Stir up your church for better things, Lord, and begin in my own heart. Amen.