At first I thought, I don’t want to come to the World Race with any expectations. I want to come with nothing in mind and just go with whatever happens. After doing some thinking, and list making, I’ve had some time to discover there’s two sorts of expectations I could bring.
The first list doesn’t sound too great. They’re minor things, maybe a little uncomfortable for a time, but not a huge deal individually. On a whole though, if that were all I thought the WR was about, it wouldn’t be very pleasant. It’s not leaving much room for the second list.
The second list of expectations is actually kind of exciting. The smile-is-starting-to-appear-and-I-can’t-sit-still kind of exciting.
I want to be open to everything that God calls me to and brings along on the WR. No matter how freaky it might seem initially. I want to come with open hands and a humble heart. Ready. Expectant. Not my will but His alone.
What is an expectation? Well according to the dictionary it is ‘a strong belief that something will happen’.
Expectations aren’t necessarily a bad thing. Here's my lists so far (although I know these a huge amount I've probably forgotten or I don't even know about yet!).
I expect:
- to get real dirty
- to get head lice…perhaps more than once
- that people will get annoyed at me
- that I will get frustrated with my team
- that lack of sleep will be something I have to get over
- to not really feel like pouring my heart out in another blog
- to smell real bad on more than one occasion
- a few tears along the way
- some funny bruises in mysterious places
- that towards the end, the thought of leaving the WR will be daunting
I expect:
- to hug a lot of people
- to fall in love with heaps of children
- to meet people who will embed themselves in my life
- to laugh and laugh and laugh
- that God will reveal Himself in new and unimaginable ways
- that the Holy Spirit will move within me
- to stumble and fall but also to be forgiven and to be helped back up
- that chains will be broken and people set free
- to be challenged, stretched and grown
- to see miracles, salvations and a whole bunch of God’s glory
- people to fall in love with Jesus before our eyes
- Satan being scared of our team and rightly so!
- to worship with people who don’t speak the same language
- that this new season is a life-changer!
This second list outweighs the first by a long shot! Although a bunch of things might happen from the first list, I’m not going to focus on it. I’m excited to see what God has in store and I believe now is the time to be praying for open hearts and doors all around the world.
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. – Romans 5:3-5
Only 7 months till launch!
I’m excited for God to show up and show off!
