reconciling expectations
Often times our expectations can limit…restricting what we experience, setting “the tone” for our day, or even hindering God’s desired work. Expectations can seem to be set almost absentmindedly.
Yes, God is sovereign (what peace this brings!) and fully able to accomplish His work despite us or our actions.
“A king’s heart is like channeled water in the Lord’s hand: He directs it wherever He chooses.” (Proverbs 21:1 CSB)
What relief and rest floods our soul as we reflect on this truth.
What if our expectations or pre-conceived ideas were lowered or even intentionally “unset”?
How might the Lord work in this newly opened and available space of both our time and hearts?
Enter Paul, Silas and Timothy in Acts 16.
They had just arrived in Phillipi, continuing in their call of preaching the gospel, strengthening the churches and encouraging believers.
“On the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate by the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and spoke to the women gathered there.” (Acts 16:13 CSB)
In the original text, the Greek word “enomizomen” is used to convey the meaning “was customary”. Paul and friends expected to find a “house or place of prayer” in that location.
We find them looking, “expecting” to find a place to pray – a good thing!
A really good thing in fact, but not necessarily the best thing that God had for them in that moment. (Please do not infer that I am suggesting prayer is not important or vital in our relationship with Jesus-it absolutely is!)
It seems their expectation of what they were going to do and what God had planned were different.
“A God-fearing woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, was listening. The Lord opened her heart to respond to what Paul was saying. After she and her household were baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.” (Acts 16: 14-15 CSB)
Wow! God opened her heart to respond to Paul’s words.
God moved…Paul and Silas readjusted.
I wonder how often our expectations can cause us to miss being able to realign with God’s working.
What can we learn from this passage?
We Want to Be Willing…
…to hear, see, recognize His promptings and opportunities.
This could even become an intentional “ask” every morning.
“Lord, what would You have in this time, conversation, meeting or day?”
“Would you direct and orchestrate in a way that I cannot miss it?”
Be On the Lookout!
At times, it can be easy to reason away “coincidental meetings”. Whether running into someone you have not seen in a while or dismissing a mistakenly sent text intended for another.
How beautiful it can be to rest in God’s providence. Reasoning away any “chance” or “haphazardness” of events; recognizing there is purpose and opportunity in all. Believing that God is the sovereign orchestrator.
In that line of thinking, our sight changes…our ears perk up when we see that friend we have not seen in a while.
We pause and wonder, “is there something more here in accidentally receiving this text?”
While at times, those unplanned meetings or unintended texts may seem to serve no deeper purpose…but what about the times we witness otherwise?
Our hearts quicken…recalling God’s sovereignty, and the potential of what He might do in this meeting or these few exchanged words.
Reflecting back, what about the time you ran into a friend in the grocery store? After casually asking how they are doing, you find them pouring their heart or hurt out to you.
I wonder…could that be a part of God’s agenda in today?
All of a sudden you are presented an opportunity to speak truth and share encouragement from His word.
What about the text?
As you quickly type back a short response, dialogue is opened.
Their text, while meant for another, presents a real and tangible opportunity to engage in their life…possibly right in the midst of a hard spot.
Be encouraged, dear friend, even if you don’t see visible impact, don’t discount what He may be doing quietly in their heart and mind.
Pray for His Alignment
It can be very easy to be busy with life. Our days can be filled with work, transporting kids here and there, chores, exercise…so much good, but nonetheless, so much!
His perspective and lens of sight enables us to see eternity and purpose in all of this.
Sitting in carline or running with a friend become kingdom opportunities.
Moments to join in His work as we intentionally pursue a vested interest in others.
Prepared to be Wowed!
As we see Him work, opening up our eyes to His diving orchestration, we are left to marvel!
We drink deeply of who He is and how He shows up to do His great workings. We begin to “hunger and thirst for righteousness” (Matthew 5:6) -we want more of His work, His presence, His evidences in our life and the lives of others!
He is beginning to plant seeds of an insatiable desire; a longing for His agenda and plans over ours.
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10 CSB)
This becomes our heartbeat, our “not wanting to miss”.
Our Challenge
May the Lord lead us in this, reminding us to bring this before Him each morning.
May we ask Him to reset our agendas and what we deem most important in our day.
Sometimes I can find my eyes locked and fixed on accomplishing a certain tasks, but what if He has something different…better…perhaps eternal planned as part of today?
What if my focused gaze on MY game plan prevents me from seeing HIS?
Will you join with me in asking the Lord for a new encounter in regards to a “divine appointment or text”?
What if we keep a slip of paper or notepad handy, almost in an anticipation of how God will work and wow us in redirecting our agenda? Will you write it down, so we don’t as quickly forget of this working?
Lastly, will you take a moment and let me know about it?
You can post a quick comment at the bottom this blog post or you can connect more privately via email here. It can be faith building and stirring as we witness God move and work in each other’s lives!
Enjoy this song! May it become the cry of our heart. “Do What You Want To” by Vertical Worship Band
Blessings as we prayerfully contemplate and ask God to realign our agenda with His!
Resources:
Biblehub.com
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