In February, my wife and I received a wedding invitation. It was a real surprise, because we had no idea that our friend, the bride, was anywhere near tying the knot. To call theirs a whirlwind romance would do whirlwinds a disservice.

But what makes their story especially compelling is that within a week of their wedding, they plan to leave for China. He’s Chinese. She’s not—but she’s developed a deep love for China, having spent time there on mission trips. Their plan is to divide their time equally between Canada and China.

They are not the only ones we know who have heard God calling them to bring closure to years in the same communities and churches, and go in His name to faraway places.

We will shortly say goodbye to a couple who brought five children into the world—and into our church—as they all set off in a converted bus to Central and South America. Their plan for the next two years is to see what ministry opportunities the Lord brings them before setting off to make a new home in Australia.

There are other examples I could mention of Christians undertaking other God-sized adventures. And from talking to people, I know that I am not alone in sensing that for whatever reason, God is repositioning His people and handing them new assignments.

Suddenly, what had been for years the settled order of things has been shaken loose and people are finding themselves doing a variety of unexpected things—like getting married or moving to the opposite end of the planet.

I recently left an administrative position in my church to take on two weekly Bible studies plus more preaching opportunities. Although neither is new to me, what is new is a conviction that my spiritual gift may indeed be to preach and teach (1 Corinthians 12:28). How do I know? Because I really enjoy what I’m doing. This is where I belong.

God is present. He is active. He is moving. I am sure of it. For what purpose? That is for God to reveal in His time. As Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:8, “The wind [i.e., the Spirit] blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

As I write this, Easter will soon be here. I have often wondered what it was like for Jesus’ disciples on the Saturday between His crucifixion and His resurrection. Their sorrow, fear and bewilderment must have been overwhelming. And yet God was as much in control that day of the events He had set in motion as at any other time in history.

At a spiritual leadership conference here last May, Richard Blackaby—son of Experiencing God author Henry Blackaby—said: “If you know how to recognize the activity of God, you can never be a pessimist.”

Looking across our post-Christian nation, there are times I wonder if God has not given up on Canada. Who could blame Him? But as I rejoice at our friend’s marriage and shed some tears watching old friends depart, I also hear the wind blowing—and I know that God is up to something wonderful.