"I never like to use the word expectation but I will make an exception. I am expecting BIG things this next year. I am ready to hear from God in ways that I never have before and I know I am going to grow. I have a lot of expectations but I have never really liked expectations. Partly because I know people have expectations for me and that's hard to think about when you really want to please people but you don't know how to meet their expectations. It's not as simple as just introducing yourself. "Hello Expectation! I am Sarah, may I do anything for you today?" No. That's not how it works and that can be frustrating. The thought has been rattling around in my brain for sometime that we should just drop all our expectations. When I expect certain things from people or circumstances I always seem to be let down or my expectations are not met. However, why should I degrade God's abilities to that of what my human brain can comprehend? God surpasses all understanding so I KNOW I can expect THE BEST things from Him and He will NOT disappoint." I wrote this almost a year ago. Looking back on it today, I realize that I was right. But I was also wrong.
Firstly, I can tell you I was wrong because my perspective was askew. I was offended at people in my life for expecting me to respond a certain way. I was wrong to harbor this offense because they were right. My character proved that I would respond in that way and God's character in me should respond in the way they expected. (Don't worry, nothing terrible happened and I am OK)
I still don't believe expectations should be forced onto a person. It just doesn't seem right, or even moral, to expect a person to do or be anything that is outside of their character. It is vital to know a person's journey before you can expect anything from them. You need to understand their capacity and ability to handle certain feats. However, gaging people's capacities and understanding another person's capacity is not what I want to talk about, even though I have a lot to say about it.
No, no. I want to talk about expecting things from God. I don't think I would've ever guessed that I would reach a point in my life where I would be bold enough to EXPECT something from God. "Dear God, I expect you to (fill in the blank)." It sounds wrong doesn't it? It seems like I am challenging God in a way. But you're misreading the situation.
My problem is that I used to replace expectancy with hope. These are two completely different things.
Hope defined is: a feeling or desire for a certain thing to happen
Expect defined is: regard or belief that something is likely to happen.
When we rely on God, it is important for us to be confident in EXPECTANCY instead of just wishful and hopeful thinking. Don't mistake this difference as hope not being important. It is extremely important! But the fault is when you replace confidence in God's love with wishing upon a star. Expectation does not equate to hope. When I expect something from God, it is because I know His character. I know God is Love, Creator, Redeemer, Judge, King, Forgiver, Provider, Protector, and so much more. Therefore, I approach BOLDLY and leave no room for doubt. I believe that God is who He says He is so why should I be shy about expecting him to deliver? Disappointment surfaces when we appoint hope to something, or someone, that can not deliver. GOD DELIVERS. "When I expect certain things from people or circumstances I always seem to be let down or my expectations are not met. However, why should I degrade God's abilities to that of what my human brain can comprehend? God surpasses all understanding so I KNOW I can expect THE BEST things from Him and He will NOT disappoint."
I refuse to degrade God's abilities based on what I've experienced from other people. We are human, and human's are prone to error and mistakes. I will try my best to not over-expect anything from other people, but I will not reduce God to those standards. I have found boldness and confidence to ask God for anything(within reason and within wisdom) and expect Him to be true to His word. I can only trust that you will also reach that place in your relationship with Christ, where you KNOW His character and you will not be timid in expecting God to do as He says He will.
"Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and also in Jesus." John 14:1
--sea'sthoughts--
