Let me first start by letting everyone whom I will be serving with know how much I appreciate you all and look forward to learning from you as we grow together in Christ over the next year. This is truly an adventure of a life time.
Wow, where do I start…? I boldy state that I “expect” nothing from God, but I have a TON of “expectancy” in Him. Let me also mention that before we go any further, I have a deep passion for words and their true “rooted” meaning. Words move, inspire and shape our ideas which in turn shape our world. So when I was asked “What are my expectations of God?” I had to think about that. The question pre-supposes I have an expectation of God, right? Which would also pre-suppose that I have an idea of what the outcome looks like. I mean, what’s it like to tell the BIG GUY, “hey, here is what I expect of you?” Not even understanding that His plans for me are so much greater than what my “expectations” of Him are. Who can know these things?
All of this was brought to light when I recently read a book, which I’m sure many of you have already heard of, if not already read called “The Shack” – WM Paul Young. This book was amazing for me in so many ways. But it really helped me put my “expectations” of God into perspective and even more so helped to evolve those “expectations” into “expectancy”. For those who may not have had the chance to review the story…let me share a few points I learned.
First, When I think about the word “expectation” – as a noun, it doesn’t require any action on my part – just the other person of whom I have “expectations” of. Additionally, we tend to forget that by placing these preconceived expectations upon God, there is little flexibility in what we think we are going to get (or what He’s capable of) and when things don’t go as we “expected”, there is usually more emphasis placed on the disappointment of what didn’t happen vs. divine appointment of what did. The word “expectation” also allows for a neat little package to be formed in our minds of what we can expect to see – usually distracting us from the major blessing He has already provided. When have you ever known God to give you anything as you expect, the way you expect it, when you expect it and just as your expectations expected Him to..? I believe that when we place our neat little box of expectations on God, we are unconsciously asking God to only give us a % of the blessings He has in store for uS becuase that was all that we were expecting and frankly that’s all that I have room for in this box that I picked out.
Second, when the word is used as a verb (etc. expectancy) I become part of the solution. As it relates to God, my role in the solution should take on a more intimate meaning and that can only be demonstrated one way – faith. When you live in “expectancy” of God, you have no idea what He is going to do, but you have faith in knowing He is going to do something and whatever happens you know that it is meant for your good. I’ve also come to realize that God has “expectations” of us and this is purely because He knows what to expect of us – He created us! Which makes 1 Corinthians 10:13 that much more real to me.
By no means am I trying to be overly philosophical about the question. I’m just passionate about God and who He has called me to be in Him. I love to learn about most anything, especially the bible and about the promises of God.
More so, I am fully aware that He loves me more than I could ever love myself. For someone who has so much invested in me and wants the very best for me; so much that He sacrificed Himself, it makes me want to know Him even more. Even if that means not only releasing my “expectations” of Him, but of myself and embracing a life of “expectancy” in Him and Him in me. He is El Hanne’eman – The Faithful God.
