Great Expectations

 

 

So sometimes I get overwhelmed because there is so much that God is doing and teaching me. Or some days I just live and I think He’s doing nothing at all. Until I analyze the next day and realize all He’s taught me and how much I’ve changed. But I haven’t really changed.

 

I’ve just become more of me.

 There’s a phrase we have on the World Race that goes like this

 

 “the more I look like Jesus, the more I look like Annie Rose (insert your own name there)”.

 

So as I walk into what I am created for, I look like Jesus AND Annie Rose. The more freedom I find and the more I know about Jesus, the more I want to be exactly who and what I was designed to be. And since I am made in the image of my God, I’m going to look more like Him with every freedom and obedience.

 

 

Speaking of the World Race, it’s funny to think about all that I expected from it and how sometimes my expectations are met and how sometimes they’re not. Since training camp we have been learning how to handle expectations. We often get it wrong and say that we are not supposed to have expectations at all. Whether we realize it or not, we all have them. It’s what we DO with them that makes all the difference. How do I treat others when my expectations have been dissapointed? How do I react when I realize my hope has been in my expectations and not my God?

 

I expected to be dirty all year long.- in reality I’ve only been dirty for the three months in Africa.

 

I expected to be completely wrecked- in reality I think I’ve only been partially wrecked.

 

I expected to fall in love with the people of the world- in reality I can choose to stay selfish and only think about myself… and many times I have done that.

 

I expected to be exausted- in reality I have gotten better sleep and been more at peace on the race than I have in my life :).

 

I expected to have an adventure almost every day- in reality I have spent many a day reading a book because we are waiting for ministry or do not have ministry at all that day.

 

I expected to be completely overwhelmed by all the changes that happen this year- in reality I have been given huge amounts of grace and adjusted quite well each time we have moved.

 

I expected everyone on the race and my team to be “on the same page” spiritually and even emotionally- in reality we’re all on a journey and each of us is at different points. Part of our journey is to help others on their journey.

 

I expected to have to sleep on a train platform at least once during this trip- in reality I’ve only slept on airport chairs and every once in a while on the ground.

 

I expected to have no other choice but to be changed- in reality I can choose every day, whether I am in the US or not, to either walk forward in my relationship with Jesus and others, or to stay exactly where I am.

 

And so much like my life, I will continue from these places of expectation and turn my eyes to Jesus who fulfills every expectancy that I could ever have.