We’re encouraged to write a blog about our expectations for the World Race. This was going to be that blog; but, instead it’s turned into something else entirely. In fact, this blog isn’t at all what I expected it would be. And that’s been my experience with expecting things, and probably yours too. Things never seem to turn out the way I was thinking. (Okay, I’ll admit that that’s an overstatement. Plenty of things turn out as I expected. For example, I expected to wake up this morning and go to work. Check and check. Expectations met!)
This month in preparation for the race, I’m packing up most of my stuff (see photo), putting it in storage, and moving back in with my parents. (Hahaha, I’m sure there’s plenty of material for a blog right there… oh wait, my parents read my blog. Nevermind. Hi, Mom & Dad!) In the process of packing, I’ve been thinking a lot about what I’ve expected the other times I’ve moved.
I lived at home during college, so, the first time I moved was when I got married. Now, if you don’t know me, this information is probably something that you didn’t expect. Quick Fact #1: I was married. Quick Fact #2: Now I’m not. (Not So) Quick Fact #3: I don’t intend to blog about it here. I will say that it’s a story about God’s loving faithfulness and I don’t mind telling it; but, it’s not a story for this time, this place.
So, as I was saying, the first time I moved, I packed up all my things, expecting that I would be spending the rest of my life with the guy I was marrying. (Nope.) When we moved to another apartment 6 months later, I expected that the next time I packed, it would be to move to a cute little house where we would have cute little kids. (Nope and nope.)
Instead, I’m putting my stuff in storage so I can live out of a backpack for 11 months.
No husband. No house. No kids.
Those expectations caused a lot of anguish when they disappeared. Unmet expectations can do that. But God’s love is bigger than our biggest disappointments. Did you hear me? Do you believe it? Do you believe that God knows and his love is greater than your pain? Here’s what I know from my experience: sometimes our expectations get crucified so that God can be glorified.
Listen, the world tries to tell us that it’s safer not to expect anything from anybody. But God isn’t anybody. He’s GOD. We can, and SHOULD, expect GREAT things from God because that’s what he promises us. He is God, he is good, and he is loving. When he says he loves you, you can believe it. And if you can’t believe his words alone, then Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection prove it. Faith is believing in this sacrificial love, and faith is trusting in it even when things don’t turn out as expected. And that’s the kind of faith that brings God glory and pleasure (Hebrews 11:6). It’s the kind of faith that saved me from despair when my expectations fell down all around me, and it’s God’s gift to all who are willing to trust him.
As I’m packing, I realize that I have no idea what my life will look like the next time I open up these boxes. But I know that whatever happens, it’s going to be good, because that’s what God promises (even if it’s not quite what I expect). Not only that, I can have BIG expectations because I'm loved by a BIG God. Disappointments will come and go, but, I have the promise that as I delight in God, he will give me the desires of my heart (Psalm 37:4). Why expect nothing when I can have the joy of hoping for something GREAT?!?
So, I guess this blog wasn’t really the one I started off writing. My next blog will be about my (big, huge, great!) expectations for the World Race… at least, that’s what I’m expecting.
