Coming on the World Race, I definitely did not have a lot of expectations because there were so many unknowns about the Race. I had ideas of what it would be like, but they were just the possibilities of what could be, not guaranteeing situations would be like those ideas.
I did have one expectation that only because partially true, and I didn’t know I needed to process it until today.
My expectation was that I would spend this year changing my habits and lifestyle to be more of what I thought it should be. I did change my lifestyle, and habits are different now. I eased God what he thought it all, and he is his response:
“Your lifestyle has changed, and you will continue to change. Your new habits are better because you know me better. Little things that are inconsequential should not be disappointments for habits. They can come and go, and while they are good, they are not the critical, life changing things you need. Loving others and loving me are the most important. You will never have regular schedules and habits for the rest of your life, but as long as the habits of seeking me and connecting others to me are present (no matter what they look like), you are holding a lifestyle that pleases me. You can do it. I am here.”
Boom. God has a way of reminding you why you exist and just how valuable you are to his plan.
For anyone with expectations, both Race and otherwise, hold them really loosely. After talking with several squad mates, I realized that everyone’s expectations changed or were unmet. Many expectations changed, and several people expressed being disappointed that the World Race wasn’t exactly what they wanted.
But is life exactly as plan in many situations? Not for me. My expectations of going to Pakistan, and heading to Central Asia again, have changed, and even now my expectation of being in Turkey soon could be changed.
Just because those things didn’t happen doesn’t stop life from happening. The unmet expectations did not stop God for working and moving in me. It hasn’t stopped plans from changing into the direction God has waiting for me.
But if I was to hold onto the expectations I had, I would miss all that God is doing. I would miss the goals He has for my life. I would be so bitter that things haven’t happened as I wanted, and not see all the incredible things God did, and is doing.
If you don’t come to terms with changes in life and let go of those unmet expectations, you will miss God-moments, and possibly miss your call. Don’t get me wrong, have goals. Just hold them loosely in the knowledge that God has bigger goals than you could ever imagine for you.
Let the past go, look for the new things God has for you.
#GodIsInControl #redefiningdisciple
#THIRD
