I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised at today’s Five Minute Friday word being expectation. It’s the word for the first week of Advent. We should be in a state of expectation. Miracles happen at Christmas, Christ was born (at least we celebrate his birth at this time of year). God’s promises continually being fulfilled. I know the thoughts I’ve been having pushed on me this week. Thoughts about expectations and what they mean. Perhaps, this poem will somewhat adequately explain them?
Expectations
Sermon preached
We’re in a time of waiting
Waiting for a promise
to be fulfilled.
Just as we eagerly
wait from a bridegroom
to come.
To take up his bride.
We wait.
Our hearts, as we
wait to be filled
with Expectation.
SOMETHING will happen.
We don’t wait
just for the point
of waiting.
We wait knowing
that God, the God of history
will hold to his promises.
We wait to celebrate that.
So the question for me
This year is
what other expectations
do I have?
Can I trust that
God holds me in all things?
Can I trust that he
will guide my son?
Is my trust that
God will sustain my
Husband as he works
a hard, dangerous job?
Do I believe that God
will help me with my job,
my health, my tendency
to eat when tired?
If I believe all that
…. do I expect God to act?
Do I live as though he’s
right there waiting?
Waiting to act as
I pray out that promise?
As I look to scripture
for answers?
That thought
has been pushed at
me all week
and tonight
Tonight as I write
I think, perhaps
God pushes this thought,
so that I can push it too?
And in that pushing
find my expectations
more solidified in my life.
Living my telling.
What does God say?
2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
Philippians 4:9
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:18-21
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
What’s God placed beneath the tree?
Can I shake the box?
Something special, just for me…
a dozen pairs of socks?
Or maybe an Avengers tie,
bright with Iron Man
streaking ‘cross the midnight sky
to save our dying land.
Strangely, this is close to true,
for the gift He’s giving
will allow both me and you
the chance to go on living
past a world that’s lost to wild,
rescued by a newborn Child.
yes indeed. 🙂
Annette, this was so good. “The God of history” …. yes, not just in history past but now, in this time. You have asked the questions, I have asked myself. But I think when I have asked them, I have asked in fear. Thank you for framing these questions and pointing me to ask them with expectation of our God, who will sustain and be with me for all of our days.
It’s a thing I need to be learning and doing too.
Beautiful, Annette. I appreciate this sentiment, “We wait knowing that God, the God of history will hold to his promises. We wait to celebrate that.”
Thank you. 🙂
The Jews waited for their Messiah to come.
Some believed and some did not.
Some could see the beauty of his arrival,
scriptures to attest and authenticate.
We wait today for his return.
Some believe and some do not.
Our expected hope is in Jesus.
true that!
We wait knowing . . . yes, we do. But as you’ve pointed out, perhaps our knowing doesn’t always translate as well in our day to day waiting for the everyday promises. Learning to trust in the God who ALWAYS fulfills his promises.
FMF#14
yes, precisely.
Beautiful words Annette! Very real and relevant. Sometimes I feel frustrated that the waiting is too hard, but oh the glory that will be revealed. Lovely!
Thank you Teresa, sometimes waiting is so annoying, and other times… hmm… it’s restful you know?
Expectations can create difficulty for us, can’t they? But we are so blessed to have THE God of the universe taking care of all of it. Our expectations can be let go because of Him. What a peaceful, joyful reminder.
for sure
What an encouragement… God as promise maker and God as promise keeper! Your FMF neighbor
yes!
Love this. I think we all ponder those kinds of questions. I know I do.
Visiting from #32
oh, I haven’t gotten back to you yet… life sometimes busy is.
The best part is that our God does provide all our needs – in excess of our expectations!
very true!