Ted's Message
As we venture through this earthly life, sometimes we find ourselves disappointed in either the outcome or the process of personal or corporate happenings. Disappointment stems from our expectations for a certain outcome (or process) that turns out less than desired. Even degrees for expectation shape our views. For instance, when a young person begins a career, he or she envisions future promotions and salaries. When those expectations are met (or even somewhat achieved), an underlying satisfaction emerges. When expectations lie unfulfilled, disappointment erodes the foundation of happiness. In order to find joy, we resolve to work differently, change our expectations, change our whole career, or sometimes become bitter and self-defeating in order to reconcile that inner gnawing of dissatisfaction. Some folks at this point, unfortunately, make the decision to always lose in life.
Such it is with expectations in our relationship with Christ. Many folks expect that relationship will bring unintended things like material wealth (John 10:10 says that Jesus will bring life in abundance, which some construe as financial wealth). When that does not happen, they are disappointed and adjust their expectations usually by blaming God for misleading them. Others believe that the relationship will relieve them from all pain (in John 14:27 Jesus says that He will leave His peace with us). After conversion, some are consternated that life still hurts, so they blame Jesus for misleading them and adjust their expectation too often by drifting from that relationship. In either case, we damage the relationship with unwarranted expectations and, of course, many other circumstances bring dissatisfaction due to unrealistic expectations.
I suggest that we adopt an expectation that derives from the name of God in the Old Testament: Yahweh, which means I will do what I will do (Ex.3:14). This prescription defines the very nature of God so we know that His will is all powerful and our will needs to adjust to His will. This means that we should expect whatever the Holy Spirit says. We can be pleased and joyous with His outcomes in any situation when we expect to follow and be obedient. Joy is found in obedience and doing right. When we expect to follow Him and do that, we are never disappointed.
God bless you and our church.
Grace and peace,
Ted