Expectations can change our interpretation of and response to circumstances in our life.
Stephen Eckert taught today about how expectations we carry with us regarding our life with God can affect our Christian journey. Often these expectations are unspoken and subtle, but somehow they can creep in. Some churches even teach these wrong expectations.
How do we remain "attached to the vine" when the storms of life show up? What does the Bible have to say about some of these expectations we allow to creep into our lives?
INVITATION: Do you have expectations regarding what a life lived with God should or ought to look like? Where do you think they came from? Do they line up with Scripture?
MONDAY: Financial Prosperity. Somehow we can tend to believe that if we follow God, and especially if we give financially to the church and "good causes," God will reward me with financial prosperity.
Acts: 16:13-15: Lydia is an example of a person with money. As a "seller of purple" she must have had money. Purple was a rare and valuable color, so money was needed to be in this line of business.
Matthew 27:57: Joseph of Arimathea was also an example of someone with riches.
Mark 1:8 & Matthew 8:19-20: John the Baptist and Jesus himself are example of Godly people who were very poor.
Matthew 19:23-24: The Bible gives clear warning about riches. It becomes way too tempting to depend on it - rather than God - in our lives.
PRAY/PONDER: Do you have finances and following Christ intertwined in your belief and life? As you pray through this, do you have some unspoken expectations on God regarding your finances?
TUESDAY: Longevity. There is often an expectation that "If I'm following God, He won't cut my life short." Stephen pointed out there are no scriptures that imply or give this type of promise. In fact, many in the Bible died very young.
Acts 6 & 7: Stephen was martyred at age 36.
James 4:13-15: No one knows the days/years of their life or even what tomorrow may bring.
PRAY/PONDER: Do you trust God with the days and years of your life? If today was your last day to live, how would you live it out? How is that different than your normal days? Is there an invitation from God to hold your life loosely and trust Him more?
WEDNESDAY: Good health. This might be an area we most often have questions for God: when young, faithful believers have serious and debilitating health issues our question is usually "why God?". Stephen told of a friend in such a situation who initially wondered "why me?" It was a huge paradigm shift for her to begin to consider "why NOT me?" None of us are exceptions to the truth that "in this world you will have trouble..." (John 16:33).
2 Cor. 12:7-9: Even the apostle Paul had a serious and earnest request for a change in his health and it was denied.
PRAY/PONDER: Stephen used a couple of of families from the Rockhills faith community as examples: Anita Eckerd and Megan DeYoung. Anita recently lost her husband after a battle with cancer. She has been very straightforward on social media with their journey. She has stated that if even one person comes to Jesus because of their suffering and battle, then it's worth it. Do you have a bigger, more eternal picture of life and situations, or are you stuck in a small vision of God and purpose and eternity? Health, weight, being in shape, etc. are all good things, but sometimes they become idols. Has this occurred in your life?
THURSDAY: We will eventually understand "why" and "get it" regarding hard situations and suffering. Stephen did a great job of comparing and contrasting the movies we enjoy (this is the way life should look) and how life actually DOES look. We want to know and understand the "how" and "why" of things and tie a big bow on it to close it out and understand it.
Job 38:4 (and continuing): The Lord addresses the suffering of Job.
PRAY/PONDER: God is God. His ways are higher than our ways. Can you accept that you may never understand certain things? Can you embrace mystery? How do you feel about leaving things in God's hands?
FRIDAY: The world will appreciate you. Stephen called this a "bonus expectation" in his teaching.
John 15:18: The world hated Jesus and will likely hate us as well.
PRAY/PONDER: Do you wonder why people don't agree with you or seek to do the things of Jesus Christ? Does it sometimes surprise you? What would it look like to begin expecting such reactions from the world as opposed to expecting others to agree with you as you seek to follow Jesus?
SATURDAY: John 16:31-33; I Peter 2:24-25; Col. 2:13-14: Christ has paid the debt of our sin by dying on the cross. Because of this we can live in peace.
PRAY/PONDER: We know the end of the story. Jesus died and was raised from the dead. How can keeping your heart on that help you with any subtle expectations you may be allowing to seep into your life?