Expect the Unexpected
I am closely acquainted with expectations. I have in mind exactly how things should go on my birthday, vacation, holiday, or any other experience. At this time of year, I’m taking some ques from Mary, Jesus’ mother, who learned to expect the unexpected. She became a role model for us when it comes to expectations.
Right here at Christmas, I am minding my p’s and q’s (i.e., paying attention to the details). There were plenty of details that surrounded Mary’s “yes”. Right here (in her season of surrender), I want to be like her when it comes to her actions, reactions, and her ways of overcoming disappointments when things don’t turn out like we imagined.
Here is what I’ve learned about what NOT to expect from building up expectations:
1. Don’t build expectations on SOMEONE. Mary, once she learned she was carrying the Messiah, could have built expectations on her fiancé, Joseph. She needed assistance to fulfill this God-sized plan, but for all she knew, Joseph would leave her once he learned she was pregnant.
Mary responded to the angel with, “I am the Lord’s servant.” (Luke 1:38a) She could only control her own reactions – not Joseph’s or anyone else’s. She obeyed and followed through because her focus was on God alone.
May we be intentional with our expectancy on the only One Who will never fail us — Jesus. If disappointment comes our way this Christmas and in the new year, we can remind ourselves that we are all human, and only our perfect Father will never disappoint us.
2. Don’t build expectations on SOMETHING. The angel made it clear that Mary had “found favor with God” (Luke 1:30). Yet how would this “favor” impact her life, especially her reputation? If Mary set her expectations on something like her reputation or a perfectly executed plan, she would have been disappointed.
The best plan is to pray for God’s favor on us and if disappointment comes – like being pregnant and having to leave home to travel to Bethlehem because of a census or no room in the inn or hearing that King Herod was set on killing baby boys – we can rest assured, God’s plans are so much greater than our disappointments.
3. Don’t build expectations on SOMEPLACE. When Mary received her news, she actually left home where she was most comfortable. Each of us has a someplace we would prefer to celebrate Christ’s birthday. She found her “home” in God as she followed His assignment for her.
Whether we are excited or disappointed about where we’ll be this Christmas, let’s see it as our assignment to bring Christ there. Mary chose to embrace the changes God brought into her life.
Oh my! I am a veteran at changes. I calculated the number of places I have lived since marrying my Ron to today – 26! Lord, have mercy! And, with each move, we settled in and embraced the new season. Blessings were had because we trusted in God’s master plan for our lives.
I do so want to follow Mary’s lead. I have learned that God uses changes and even disappointments to develop confidence in me. This once intimidated and shy girl learned God uses everything to make us into vessels of honor for His use. If we build our expectations and confidence on Christ alone, when there’s a change of plans – we will go in His favor and the flow of God’s amazing grace.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11