5:23 – Great Expectations

#faithbites #faithjourney expectations

Intro

If you ask what my greatest fault is, I would say I have two. One is I am too nice and let people walk on me and the other is I have too high of expectations for myself. And sometimes I let those expectations wash onto other people. Take this COVID thing, I’m on day 7 or 8 from start of symptoms and while I think I’m finally getting better, there are still new symptoms starting, and I don’t feel I’m getting better fast enough. I feel I should be over this and be back to doing everything I did beforehand. Heck, I’m actively forcing myself not to dive back into work 100% because the doctor told me to rest at least 10 days. I feel like I’m not meeting my expectations and letting everyone down.

At the same time, our pastor today preached on expectations and the need for realistic expectations. We need to set goals but are we expecting too much out of ourselves? Do we have unrealistic expectations? A friend of mine used to say, “If I don’t expect my cat to make a sandwich, I won’t be upset when he doesn’t make it.”

Questions

• How do you make expectations for yourself?
• How do you make expectations for those around you?
• Do you know what God expects of you?

Scripture

• Philippians 1:20 – 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.
• 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.

Reflection

First and foremost, God doesn’t expect perfection. If he did, he wouldn’t have sent Jesus to forgive us our sins. God expects us to love one another and to love him, that is all he expects. At the same time, he has given us his word to help us. God’s grace is sufficient for us and he gives us enough grace so that we may abound in every work. When we have Christ in us we can be full of courage. WE can take the time to rest, to heal, and to realize that we don’t have to do everything at 100% all the time.

Many of you have told me to rest and it’s hard for me because resting means I can’t accomplish what I need to. My expectations of myself are not realistic. COVID is finally getting through to me, and I need to rest and set realistic expectations. This extends not only to me but to those in my life.

As we close, know that it is ok not to be perfect. It is ok to rest and lower your expectations. Lowering your expectations doesn’t mean you have low expectations, it means they are realistic for the time, energy, and skills you possess. Let God’s Grace fill you with peace.

Prayer

Lord God, I pray for continued healing for myself, my family, and all those who are sick. We all pray that you help us temper our expectations through your word and your example. You didn’t create us to be Superpeople. You created us to love and be loved. Help us to have expectations that are realistic and serve you. We pray this in your name, Amen.