"Great Expectations"

My son Dave turned 21 while in college. We lived too far away for him to come home to celebrate (especially since he was a car-less student) but he was able to hitch a ride to spend the weekend with Karen’s parents who lived two hours from campus. On his special day his grandfather asked if he had his driver’s license with him. Dave said he did and all three got in the car. Dave’s reaction: “They’re buying me a car!” After a while they pulled into a Denny’s restaurant and Grandpa said, “Get your license out. They give you a free meal on your birthday.” Talk about coming back to earth! We had a hearty laugh with him when he told us what had happened and have chuckled about it ever since.

During my pastoral days a retired couple new to our church asked me to stop by their house so they could present me with a check. Since both had held responsible positions I anticipated a sizeable gift to the ministry. Alas, when I received the check it was for $25.00! What’s that old saying? Oh yeah—“Don’t count your chickens before they hatch!”

Both these experiences show that our great expectations often don’t work out as we hope. Why? Because we as humans can (many times unknowingly) dash each other’s dreams. But isn’t it a comfort to know that we can by faith have great expectations of God? What are some? 1) That He’ll always be faithful (“God…is faithful.”—1 Corinthians 1:9, among other places); 2) That He’ll always be with us (“…Surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age.”—Matthew 28:20); 3) That He’ll meet every need (“…God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”—Philippians 4:19); 4) That He’ll always love us (“…I have loved you with an everlasting love….”—Jeremiah 31:3).

So when people disappoint us (or we frustrate others) let’s remember the prophet’s words: “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.” (Isaiah 26:4). Only He can be counted on to meet our great expectations. And He’ll not fail!

 

Blessings!

Jim McMillan