As it is my eager expectation
and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as
always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
Philippians 1:20
Good Morning, Girlfriends!
Did the sun rise on your day? I expect it did.
As a matter of fact, when I opened my eyes this morning, I
expected the sun would be rising. I not only expected it because of the light
filtering through my closed eyelids, but also because internally I just presume
the sun will rise each morning that I wake.
Did you have your coffee or tea this morning? I expect you
did.
As a matter of fact, when I went to the kitchen this
morning, I expected the coffee maker would work and brew my drink. I not only
expected it because I smelled my son-in-law’s cup of joe, but also because
internally I just presume the Keurig will operate each time I need a
pick-me-up.
Did you look at your computer today? I expect you did.
As a matter of fact, when I thought about writing a blog
this morning, I expected my computer keyboard to light up. I not only expected
it because I had barely put it away a few hours ago before bedtime, but also
because internally I just presume my computer loves me and wants to function
properly for me so I don’t yell at it.
Did you….did you…did you? I expect you did.
Why?
Because as a woman and human being, I…
Expect…
Assume…
Internally Presume…
Trust…
Believe.
But what if they computer crashed during the night?
What if they coffee make shorted out when turned on?
What if the sun did not rise and darkness prevailed?
Unmet Expectations.
False Assumptions.
External Reality Interfering with Internal Presumptions.
Uncertainty.
Doubt.
Disbelief.
The hope of the righteous
brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.
Proverbs 10:28
Girlfriends, the reality is we all carry expectations
whether we are aware of them or not.
Sometimes our expectations are grounded in experience of the world. For
example, the sun rises every morning, sets at night, and rises again the next
morning. We don’t consciously think about it, but we do expect it.
We all carry assumptions, grounded in reality or not. Most
of the time, we can assume the coffeemaker will work because for the past
however many months we’ve used it, coffee has come out every time. We don’t
overthink it, but we do know that one day we will press that button and
voila….nothing happens. But we never expect that day to be today.
We all presume certain things will happen as a result of our
experience, assumptions, and knowledge of how the world works around us. I
presume my computer will work because (1) I went to Mac and have never looked
back, (2) my husband is obsessed with technology, and (3) I have a child-like
faith that everything will operate the way it is supposed all of the time, despite
my immature fits of anger when it doesn’t.
So, my friends, I assume about now you are saying to
yourselves, “Jackie, get to the point!” Whether that is true or not, doesn’t
really matter. I am still assuming it. And therein lies my point.
Ladies, we constantly make assumptions and have expectations
that are often subconscious and ruled by our past experience, present state of
mind, and the unique worldview we possess. Sometimes those expectations are met
on a consistent basis, and all the world is at peace. Yet at other times, our
assumptions run up against the expectations of others around us, and all hell
breaks loose before we even realize what happened. No one intended to hurt another’s feelings, because
everyone presumed to be on the same page.
In reality, nothing in this life is promised to go as we expect or assume it will. Truthfully, we are told we will face trouble. (John 16:33)
Expectations will not be met. Assumptions will make an “ass” out of “u” and
“me.” (Thanks to my high school volleyball coach for first pointing that out to
me.) And presuming leads to let-down, which in turn leads to all-consuming
attempts at controlling what, in reality, only God holds in His hands: the
future and the people around us.
Girlfriends, my message to you and to myself today comes
from that same verse that promises us trouble in life: John 16:33.
“I have told you these things, so
that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But
take heart! I have overcome the world.”
TAKE HEART! Have PEACE. Jesus has overcome the world of
expectations, assumptions, and presumptions with the only truth that we can
truly and unequivocally trust and believe: He loves us, and He has final
victory.
Victory over fear…
Over false or unmet expectations…
Over pain and suffering…
Over broken promises and shattered hearts….
Over death and dying….
Over every earthly concern you or I can imagine.
He experienced it. He fought the fight. He won the war.
And although the battle rages on inside our souls and
between people on this earth,
you can raise your eyes to heaven in the morning, lift that
cup of coffee to your lips, and confidently proclaim to the world (through your
computer-aided social media) that JESUS REIGNS!
So consciously today make an effort to LET GO. Surrender.
Lay it all at the feet of Jesus, the Lamb of God who came and conquered in a
way the Jews never assumed would happen: SURRENDER! He did not build an Army
and go to battle on earth against the Romans. No! He waved a white flag and
laid down His life for you and me, and when God raised Him from the dead, He
built the most powerful Army ever to fight the real battle…the spiritual one
raging right now for our eternity. Satan
is using your expectations, your assumptions and your presumptions against you.
Take back control with conscious prayer, proclaiming the Word of God you know
to be holy and right. Do not live in a spirit of fear! Live in the Light of
Christ….and have PEACE!
Girlfriends, today, His peace is with you….Expect it!
No longer will
there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and
his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on
their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a
lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they
will reign for ever and ever.
Revelation 22:3-5
