Great Expectations!

Expecting – looking forward to; anticipating; implies a high degree of certainty and usually involves the idea of preparing or envisioning

When I was growing up in rural Oklahoma and it came time to share the news that a new little bundle of joy would soon be joining the family, everyone would say, “She is expecting.”  Call me old-fashioned, but I still prefer “expecting” over our more modern terms because it implies excitement and anticipation as the family plans, dreams, and prepares for their new little blessing from God.

As we celebrated the birth of Jesus on Christmas day, I was struck by the dichotomy of expectations then and how eerily they mirror our expectations today.

Mary was expecting -even though she was a virgin, an angel had told her she would give birth to the Messiah, and despite the trials and hardships this caused her, she accepted the honor and responsibility with great anticipation and humility.

Mary was anticipating – even though her situation was unconventional, and she was uncertain how the details would play out for them. She did not know exactly what the future held for her and the child that grew within her virgin womb, but she knew God is all-knowing and all-powerful.

As any mother does, can’t you imagine she began dreaming about her little one?  What would he look like?  Was she ready to be a mother – especially the mother of the Savior? I am sure many prayers were prayed as she laid claim to her new role and made preparations for Jesus’ impending birth. Can you imagine the great expectations she had?

The Israelites were expecting, too. With great anticipation they were expecting a Savior who would come and free them from their bondage once and for all. Unfortunately, while they waited and watched, they developed their own vision of what their Savior would look like and what He would do for them.

The Israelites began envisioning a king … They developed their own image of a warrior who would ride in and destroy their enemies, saving them like a shining knight in armor. With this image they also developed an attitude of entitlement – they began to believe they deserved a warrior king who would judge their enemies and destroy them for their wickedness.

Mary focused her expectations on God and His plan for her.  She was obedient even when she did not understand – even when it was difficult – even when it was socially unacceptable to do so – even when she was afraid.  As a result she received a blessing none of us will ever receive; she became the mother of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was a conduit that introduced grace and mercy to the world so that we would have a way to become truly free!

The Israelite society focused their expectations on themselves and their own sense of what they felt they were entitled to. As a result they missed God’s blessing. They missed the opportunity to become truly free for all eternity. They missed the opportunity to witness their Savior in action and to learn at His feet!

I am afraid too many of us today are making the same mistake.  We have put God in a box labeled “expectations” that has become a firm foundation for a sense of entitlement we have labeled our “rights”  or our “freedoms”.  As a result we are missing out on a multitude of blessings and not even hearing when He calls our name.

As the new year begins we have a choice to make. Are we going to keep God in a box and keep believing we are entitled to guide Him where WE want HIM to be?  By doing so we totally ignore the fact that He made us, sent His Son to die for us, and loves us beyond anything we can even comprehend or measure. Our arrogance robs us of the blessings He offers so freely and selflessly.

OR are we going to turn our expectations over to God, humbly bow down at His feet and lay OUR expectations on the altar, living obediently for Him

Even when we don’t understand

Even when it is difficult

Even when it is socially unacceptable to do so

Trusting when others doubt

Placing faith in God when others want to place blame

Loving when others are hateful.

When we do so we glorify His Holiness; we receive His blessing of unconditional love; and we honor His sacrifice for OUR sins.

Make no mistake. God cannot be put in a box. He IS the great I AM.

So as for me…I have emptied my box of MY expectations.  Now I am going to allow God to fill it with His expectations for me and my life. And though I do not know what to “expect”, I look forward with great anticipation and excitement for what the future holds!

What is in your box? Who is in control of filling it?

Amen