“Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!”
Acts of the Apostles 16:26 NLT
“Suddenly.” I read somewhere that this word is something that good writers should steer clear from as much as possible. When you’re writing a good story, you should give the details. If you just say “suddenly” you are skipping several steps. It’s lazy writing. I mean, don’t let the reader figure it out. You’re the writer, you’re supposed to be the one with the imagination.
I wonder what steps were skipped here? What details did the writer leave out for the sake of brevity? Was there a distant rumble? Was there an initial tremor that warned everyone that something big was coming?
The story preceding this verse was full of details, and action, and messages both symbolic and literal. There’s enough there to excuse the use of “suddenly” somewhat.
And besides, I want that for myself sometimes. I want the blessing to come “suddenly”. I want the answered prayer to come “suddenly“. I want the clarity and the peace and the joy to come “suddenly”.
It’s a constant prayer for patience and self-control that I have to ask for daily, just so I won’t be tempted into anxiety when things don’t come “suddenly”.
