We often think our lives will be formulaic and maybe even somewhat logical: A + B = C. However, life has a way of going off the rails. Even the most well laid plans and procedures can come unraveled.
Have you ever stopped to consider - with God - that perhaps what feels like unraveling might not actually be? What would it look like to reframe your circumstances to trust that events happen FOR you as opposed to happening TO you? God is sovereign. He is not surprised by what is going on in your life or in my life.
INVITATION: Steve Gutierrez taught on expectations. People have them of us, but perhaps the most difficult expectations to deal with over a lifetime are the expectations we have of ourselves. You are invited to join us as we consider our expectations in the light of Jesus Christ and HIS sovereignty and plan in our lives. We will also take a look at how expectations played out in the life of Jesus.
MONDAY: Proverbs 21:5: Steve talked quite a bit about the value of planning. He shared vulnerably about a time in his life when poor planning and lack of hard work foiled some plans he had for his life. Peter Drucker said "Plans are only good intentions unless they immediately degenerate into hard work." Proverbs is known as "the book of wisdom." What wisdom do you glean from this verse? How might it apply to whatever is going on in your life and circumstances today?
TUESDAY: The coming of Jesus definitely did not meet the expectations of the Jews. They expected a political and military leader who would usher in worldwide peace and unity. They expected physical and national deliverance and that he would come from a line of a king and be all conquering and triumphant However, the reality of Jesus is as follows:
led a spiritual kingdom
personal salvation and spiritual renewal were the focus
spiritual deliverance
humble origins
A suffering servant who was crucified.
In what ways do you feel Jesus has not met your expectations? Steve talked about how the greatest tragedy in life is not unanswered prayer but unoffered prayer. How might you pray about these expectations you have for or about Jesus? Can you be honest with him about your feelings? He can handle it!
WEDNESDAY: Jeremiah 23:5; Isaiah 9:6-7; Numbers 24:17-19; Psalm 2:7-9; Isaiah 63:1. Jesus was and is all about personal and spiritual transformation, NOT political and national transformation. Do you trust Jesus with ALL things - including things of a political and national nature? This is an election year in our nation. How might God be inviting you to pray for our nation as a whole?
THURSDAY: Matthew 26:36-46: These verses are a rich example of Jesus' humanity and how God's plan for him didn't seem to meet Jesus' expectations. Jesus clearly had a preference for some other plan or procedure, i.e. that the cup would be taken from him. Seems Jesus longed for ANY other way. Have you ever felt that way? Might you feel that way now about some situation in your life? If so, how is it showing up in your prayers? Prayer is a major spiritual discipline at our disposal at any place and time. The definition of a spiritual discipline is "an activity in our power that we do to enable us to do what we cannot do by our direct effort" (Dallas Willard). Does this definition make you desire more of the discipline of prayer in your daily life? Could there be an invitation from God to you to put some type of plan in place regarding regular prayer in your schedule? Remember, good intentions don't cut it. Plans are important.
FRIDAY: Matthew 26:36-46: Yes, these are the same verses as yesterday. There is so much richness here it warrants extra time.
There is an ancient curriculum in prayer and Christ-likeness called "The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius". A large portion of these Exercises hinge on adjusting of expectations like Jesus did in these verses. Ignatius called it "indifference." Some people have a hard time with that term. It seems to have more of a negative connotation in our culture than something to strive for. Thus, it is sometimes referred to as "holy indifference." Jesus had a preference. He longed for there to be some other way. Yet he prayed, "not my will but thine." THAT is holy indifference. It is a heart stance to not be so attached to your own agenda or hopes and desires that you cannot even consider what God's plan might be for you. Is there an area in your life or circumstances where you might need to ask for God's help to get to a place of "holy indifference?"
SATURDAY: Psalm 119:105: We often want or expect a road map or GPS for our life. Are you wanting or expecting some type of map or formula for your life? Steve stressed the importance of prayer and Bible reading to help you see your way forward when expectations are not met. He shared from personal experience how God shows only the NEXT step. A verse that was helpful and meaningful for him was Psalm 31:3. God IS a rock of protection and a fortress. What do you need to take to him in prayer today and in the days moving forward?
Possible exercise with God: Scripture is full of admonitions to "remember God's faithfulness." Consider a time with God during the next days or weeks looking back at God's faithfulness in your life. You may not be where you thought you would be, but consider that you are right where you are supposed to be. Steve urged us to keep seeking the wisdom of God, scripture, and others who love God and love you.