Going on any sorta trip, there are always expectations. It could be a trip to Disney World, a business trip to London, a trip to see the family (consider this what you will), a hiking/camping trip, or just a trip to the grocery store, they are all set out with plans or expectations in mind.
It's just human instinct to assume or expect what you may think will happen on a trip or in life.
Disney World = "Where Dreams Come True"
Business Trip = Money in the Bank
Trip to see the Family = Good quailty time with the ones that you love
Hiking/Camping trip = Adventure, becoming one with nature
Grocery Store = Food and the assumption that you will not be starving for the next couple of days.
Now, keep in mind, these are my expectations of said trips. Everyone's different. However, what about a mission trip? In 5 months and 10 days, I am leaving to embark on one of God's many journey's for my life. The World Race.
What are my expectations for this trip?
I expect to see the hand of God work in numerous ways. I expect to build lasting friendships with people from all over the world. I expect to eat things that I never would have eaten in the U.S. and like it, maybe. I expect to not shower for 2 weeks at a time (eat your heart out boys, although some can probably relate). I expect to get over my fear of spiders and fast. I expect to see some of God's beautiful art: the night sky in Africa and the countryside in Central America. I expect to listen to awesome testimonies, to spend time with some of the most amazing people, to love and to be loved right back. I expect to find out my strengths and weaknesses. I expect to really and truly see what it means to love like God. I expect to see His love, mercy, grace, wisdom, forgiveness just reign time and time again over my teammates and me. I expect to learn and witness so so much.
I do NOT expect to come back the same person, and hey, that is perfectly fine.
Again, keep in mind, these are my expectations, my assumptions on a trip that I have yet to go on. As I read over what I have written, I smile because while these may be my expectations, they may not be God's, which makes it even more exciting. No one knows their future. Try as you might to plan your life out, it never matches His plans or expectations for your life. I am not saying that it's bad to plan, it's actually good to have plans, but don't get upset if it doesn't work out like you wanted or hoped, it just means that His plan is so much bigger! Who wants to know their future anyway? Where is the fun in that?
"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future".-Jeremiah 29:11
This verse has been popping up quite a bit, not just for me, but for a lot of my friends as well. Try to keep it in mind when things don't go as you plan or even expect.
Emms
