True Expectations

I try my best to never view a full trailer for a movie before I see it in the theater. Reason being, I prefer to be surprised by the plot developments and to be taken along for the ride in real time; I don’t want to ruin it by setting any false expectations. It’s no different when someone gives me a restaurant recommendation. If it’s a good restaurant, I’d rather them not talk it up too much because I don’t want my expectations to end up exceeding the actual experience when I get there.

I’ve learned over time that what I’m so often trying to escape in avoiding expectations is disappointment. I don’t want to be let down and expectations seem to have this strange relationship with our personal sense of wellbeing. For example, if I pay to go to a sporting event, I’m much more likely to enjoy it if I don’t go in anticipating my team is going to win (which isn’t hard with the Lakers). When I lower my expectations, win or lose, I still end up enjoying the game.  

What I’m describing may be acceptable when it comes to movies, food, and sports, but it isn’t how God invites us to relate to him. In all relationships, especially those founded on promises as ours is with God, the avoidance of expectations can communicate doubt and a lack of trust. Just think of a self-protective bride at the end of the wedding aisle responding with hesitancy to the sincere vows of her husband, “I don’t expect you to fulfill those words.” Not the most romantic or appropriate response, is it? We communicate the same when we fail to trust that God will fulfill every promise to us that he has given in his Word. And in the pursuit of avoiding spiritual disappointment in our relationship with God, we end up withdrawing from the only one who will consistently exceed all of our expectations in this life. 

I want to remind us, and be reminded myself: whether it’s the promise of rest (Matthew 11:28), or contentment (Philippians 4:11-13), peace (John 14:27), or empowerment (Romans 8:11), all of these are ours in Christ Jesus along with all the grace we require to enjoy them (Romans 8:38-39). We are the Church—we are each part of the Bride of Christ—and we are the recipient of these many vows, and more. There has never been a bridegroom more capable than Jesus to fulfill everything he has said. Let’s prepare him room in this season by letting our expectations of his work rise to match what he has promised us.
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“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”

-1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
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— Andrew Schey