Expectations

Expectation is defined as “a strong belief that something will happen or be the case in the future” (Google). A simple word, but a dangerous concept. Especially when an expectation is misplaced. A misplaced expectation is any expectation that is not on God and His desired outcome. Instead of being dependent on God’s word and His will, my misplaced expectation is mired in my own desired outcome. And that is where the danger lies.

There is a song that says, “Expectation is the currency of fools” (“The Kitchen.” Tow’rs). Sadly, and all too often, expectation has been the currency of my life. I am so guilty of misplaced expectations, of doing things with my personal expectations attached. I am guilty of placing my own expectations on others. I am guilty of placing my own expectations on situations. I am even guilty of placing my own expectations on God. And worse yet, I am guilty of getting offended and even bitter when those same people and situations and, yes, even God do not line up with my expectations. I am just plain guilty. I am guilty of leaning on my own expectations, on my own understanding. When I do this, I am leaning anywhere but on God. I am guilty of doing a thing while expecting my own predetermined response, my own predetermined outcome. I have done this too many times to count, if I’m being honest. I can also honestly report that, more often than not, I have walked away from my expectations (met or unmet) burdened with disappointment.

And that’s where the danger of expectations comes from. When I surround something with my own expectations, I am pretty much dooming myself to hurt and disappointment. Disappointed with people. Disappointed with situations. Yep, even disappointed with God. Disappointed because the outcome did not match my expectations. And, more often than not, offense and then bitterness spring up from the soil of my disappointment. And the worst part? My disappointment, my offense, my bitterness, none of it glorifies God in any way. None of it is Christ-like behavior.

God has been showing me that shackling Him to my expectations is also downright dangerous. Dangerous because I put Him in a box and refuse to see what He is actually doing. Dangerous because I mentally (and sometimes even physically) close the door to other scenarios or other outcomes. But God has also been showing me that when my expectation is grounded on His word and His plan for me and for those around me, then I can experience His rest and His peace, wholly trusting Him for the outcome.

Maverick City Music sings a song called “Before and After.” In it, a line repeats: “From the ashes You make beautiful things.” Today, I am singing, “From the ashes of my expectations, You make beautiful things.” Slowly but surely, I am learning to turn my expectations over to God, allowing Him to do His thing, His beautiful thing. More and more frequently, my prayer has been “Your will be done” (Matthew 6:10). I am daily trying to seek God’s will above my own, to seek His kingdom here on earth “as it is in heaven” (Luke 11:2). Daily, I am trying to live with the knowledge that “according to my earnest expectation and hope…. I will in no way be disappointed” (Philippians 1:20). Daily, I remind my soul to “wait in silence for God alone, for my expectation is from Him” (Psalm 62:5). Daily, I remind myself that He “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that [I] ask or think”….or expect (Ephesians 3:20). And daily, He says to me, “Call to me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3). How beautiful is that?! And how comforting?! God is offering us His “great and mighty things,” His “exceeding abundance.” In light of that, I’m finding it easier every day to exchange my expectations for His. And today, I’ll say with David: “And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You” (Psalm 39:7).