As World Racers, we’re told time and again to drop all our expectations. I was even told (by a former racer) before I came on the race to make a list of all my expectations and then go and burn it. Literally. I definitely agree with this statement because so many times on the race I have expected different things and then they didn’t happen. There is nothing that I can expect anymore. But that doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t have expectancy.
The difference between expectations and expectancy is that expectations say “this is what I deserve,” and then, when our expectations aren’t met, the result is disappointment and disillusionment. We cannot have expectations of how God will answer our prayers. On the other hand, expectancy is being hopeful but open. It allows for unique opportunities to happen. (Side note: I took this explanation from a sermon preached by John Poitevent at Christ Fellowship last year that still resounds within my heart)
There are certain promises that we have been given in which we can have a holy expectancy. In Deuteronomy 31:6, God tells Joshua, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Through this promise given to Joshua, we can have a holy expectancy that God will be with us. He will never leave us. In Philippians 4:19, we are told to expect his provisions. We are to live in contentment with what He gives to us and expect that He is going to provide for us.
I have definitely been on both sides of expectations and expectancy this month.
Going into this month, we were told that we were going to a tabernacle and taking care of Sri Lankan refugees. When we got that news, immediately, we assumed that the tabernacle and the refugees would look and be a certain way. Those expectations weren’t fulfilled. We also expected to be there the whole month doing ministry, but that expectation wasn’t fulfilled.
It’s funny how our greatest lack of joy comes from a lack of expectancy for God to do his will.
His will for my team this month was for us to be at the children’s home for three weeks, then go to Kuala Lumpur to finish ministry. God has provided that ministry. He has provided for our every need.
When you live with expectancy there is a joy in the midst of trial.
We came into this last week of Malaysia with a holy expectation that God was going to move. He was going to move in our hearts as well as within the team and the squad. We were hopeful but open to what He was going to do.
Rooted Freedom is now staying with the youth pastor, Cristian, and his wife, Megan, in their beautiful home that overlooks Kuala Lumpur. God plugged us into an amazing church and has blown our minds with his provisions. We had homemade Mexican food last night, a bed, and AC! Oh yeah, and pancakes this morning.
After a month of trials, God has given us a week of celebrations. He is good. All the time. I have learned to live with expectancy even when my flesh wants to live in worldly expectations.
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
Expect that! Expect that God is going ahead of you. That is a promise. That is having holy expectancy.
