My wife and I anxiously followed the directions on our smart phone. “All right, turn right at the next corner.”
We were visiting a new city and learned that it had a gum wall. We previously visited a spectacular gum wall in the city of Seattle and were eager to see another quirky display of chewing gum stuck on a wall by random citizens of the city. We could smell the familiar scent of chewing gum as we approached the wall. “Yup, I think this is it!”
Entering the corridor formed by two walls of adjacent buildings, we immediately knew this would be a disappointment. The gum did not have the brilliant hues of the Seattle wall. In fact, a layer of soot covered some of the wall, obscuring what little color that was present. I turned to my wife and shook my head. “It’s not the same.” I lamented the fact that the experience did not equal our initial encounter with a gum wall. I began to wonder if other gum walls in other cities were equally as disappointing.
When we have experienced something wonderful in the past, our expectations are high when we learn of another similar event. A great concert by a renowned musician. A delicious meal by a celebrity chef. Given the opportunity, we would gladly accept another invitation, hopeful that the next experience will be as memorable as the first. When the next experience fails to live up to our expectations, it definitely dampens one’s enthusiasm to repeat the experience.
What about our spiritual lives? Do our expectations of Jesus Christ ever hinder our spiritual progress? I can recall many times when I have prayed to God for something to happen. God always answers my prayers, and when the answer is yes, I am encouraged to pray the same prayer, hopeful that God will answer it affirmatively once again. However, sometimes the answer is no. When this happens, am I as eager to pray knowing He may deny my prayer request?
God does not ask us to pray in expectation that what He has answered affirmatively in the past will again happen. Nor does He ask us to become discouraged when our prayers are not answered in the manner we were hoping. God asks us to pray with thanksgiving for everything.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NASB)
The world may disappoint us, frequently not living up to our expectations. God’s answer to this disappointment is to pray to Him and His peace, which surpasses all comprehension, will care for our hearts and minds through faith and belief in Jesus Christ.
Amen!
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
The Bereans Blog 