Realistic Expectations

Snow is a novelty down here in the mid-south. We are used to a mild and moderate winter hovering between the high forties and low fifties with a short cold spell. As you know this winter is different, much colder for an extended period of time. Spring like last week, cold again this week.

You and I can expect change, change is normal. Change is to be expected. This has become more important to me in life and ministry over time.

It may be normal to expect change, but I don’t always welcome it, let alone seek it. I would rather have control. I still tend to love security, stability, and as little change as possible. I will admit it, I love comfort. I don’t like surprises. I like things to go my way according to my expectations, wishes, wants, and needs. Just leave me alone and don’t get in my way. And as for any suffering…no way!

Jesus had to contend with the expectations of His family, friends, and enemies. Such conflict was part and parcel of His suffering life for us. Suffering was not optional for Him and I am united with Him. In fact, as I read the gospels it’s almost as if He is trying to talk the disciples out of following Him (take up your cross, die to self, the last shall be first, servant of all shall be greatest, depend like children, etc.).

I believe the reason Jesus used “hard sayings” was to challenge prevailing Messianic expectations commonly taught by the rabbis. The Jews thought the arrival of the Messiah would be public, sudden, dramatic and final judgment for the righteous. Hence, for example, Peter’s aversion to the suffering, weakness, and shame of the cross, just give us glory…now. Fly from the temple roof Jesus! Be strong!

But Jesus took the way of weakness: “he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will…Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?” Matt. 26:39,53.

The story of Paul the apostle further sums up the people’s expectations in contrast to God’s: Saul the Pharisee persecuted Jesus because of his false messianic expectations and Paul served Jesus the Christ because Paul saw Jesus on the Damascus road. His expectations had to change when He saw the glory of the resurrected Christ.

Unmet, un-Biblical, and disparate expectations of “success” by a pastor and/or congregation can really cause some fireworks. There is an old saying: “Expectations are resentments waiting to happen”. Is that cynical or just realistic?

Sometimes I need to change my expectations more in line with God’s, dropping my expectations, and be ready for a plan “B”. Having caused myself and others enough pain by stubbornly hanging onto my unrealistic expectations I now choose to submit to living in His reality. Time for me to take off my “God suit” again.

So change is normal, but with one exception: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” so let’s keep our eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of your faith Hebrews 12:2. What a comfort by faith!

Stay warm.