This morning, while trying to plan for
an upcoming fundraiser, I was struck by the thought that I always
underestimate God. I know He always goes above and beyond my
expectations, but those expectations are never very high to begin
with. It’s as though I’m afraid to hope for too much because
something inside me thinks that He’ll disappoint me. But then the
voice of my loving Father finally penetrated my stubborn heart… It
feels like He’s saying, “Mandi… when, in the last 20 years, have
I ever let you down? Stop underestimating Me. Trust Me. Let Me show
you what I can do.”
My job is not to worry and fret over
things I can’t control. My job is to believe so completely in God
that nothing will dash my hopes and anticipations.
Noah built a boat in the middle of the
desert. David stood before a giant. Daniel was tossed into a pit of
lions. Joseph was sold by his own brothers. Men of faith were thrown
into a furnace. Esther stood before the king. Gideon defeated his
enemy with a pot and a horn. Naaman washed in a dirty river and was
healed. Job lost everything. Joshua walked around a city and the
walls fell over. Mary had a baby. Wise men followed a star. A poor
woman offered all she had. Men lowered their lame friend through a
roof. A blind man got mud rubbed on his eyes. Lazarus walked out of
the tomb.
This is such a short list of the legacy
of faith that has gone before me! What possible reason do I have for
not fully trusting in God? Why, as people, do we think so little of a
God who has done so much? We need…. I need…. to stop limiting Him
with low expectations! I really believe that God is bigger than I
give Him credit for, and I’m finished living on my own hope. God has never let me down, and He never will!
“Blessed be the God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to
be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus
Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable,
undefiled, and unfading… In this you rejoice… Though you do not
now see [Jesus], you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is
inexpressible and filled with glory…” (1 Peter 1:3-8)
