will I be surprised?

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

This section continues on from the last part of chapter 4: talking about the return of Christ and the end times. Here, Paul exposits (I don't know if that's actually the right word but as long as no one else does, I think it makes me sound smart!) on another statement of Jesus about the end times: the return of Christ will be like a thief who comes in the night - no one is expecting him, otherwise people would have been ready. He also references another statement that Jesus made that the signs of the end will be like labour pains. I don't know how far to take the comparison. At the very least Jesus and Paul are saying that out of the pain, something great will come (a baby for the woman, the return of Christ for the Christian). However, he could also be saying that the pains and trials will increase in frequency and intensity until the end.
Paul indicates that as children of light we who follow Jesus should not be as surprised by the return of Christ as the rest of the world. I don't think he's saying that we will know exactly when Jesus is coming back but that we won't be as surprised because we should not be asleep and unexpectant. We are awake, alert and watching. We live our lives in faith, love and the hope of salvation as if Christ could actually return at any moment. This doesn't mean that we won't be surprised. It's sort of like playing "peek-a-boo" with Zach - he knows I'm going to stick my head around the corner but he's not sure exactly when so he waits with a huge grin on his face and light dancing in his eyes and if I delay my peek he calls for me. When I finally do poke my head around the corner it is a delightful surprise to him. That's how I should be waiting for Jesus - eager anticipation, light dancing in my eyes. Someday I am going to see Jesus - it doesn't matter if I die (am asleep in verse 10) or am still alive (awake in verse 10)! No wonder Paul tells us to encourage each other with these words.