Expectations

What did you expect? Has life let you down lately? Do you find yourself disappointed? Maybe it is time to review your expectations. Often we feel let down because we expect something impossible or unrealistic. Sometimes though life just happens. You are going about your day not expecting anything out of the ordinary and wham it hits you, the unexpected. A disaster, an accident, something so little, or so large it can change your world forever.
You see expectations are like that. If you think you know what will happen next you are often wrong. The plot of life is not like your favorite movie or novel. It is designed with a bigger picture in mind. I cannot explain why bad things happen to good people, no one can. In fact many a great philosopher and theologian has tried. We can't explain why anything happens, and reflecting on what happens won't change the past.Imagine what expectations people had for the Messiah. He was going to be a great king, and his chosen people would find their lives forever changed. Yet, he was born in a manger, he spent his time with beggars, thieves, and prostitutes. If you had expected a king who would conquer all others your expectations were not met. If you expected a grand and awe inspiring person you had to look deeper. He didn't ride in on a chariot laden in silk and gold. He wasn't that kind of king. He exceeded all expectations that were set for him, but at the time so many people must have felt a bit let down, they had waited for one thing and God had sent another.

God sent a Savior. Not just a king among men, but someone to save you for all time. He sent his son to change expectations. In fact he wanted to change the world, and he did. Ever since that fate filled day when the king of kings hung upon a cross for crimes he did not commit, the world has been changed. However, sometimes we get to busy with all our expectations to appreciate the unexpected. The joy of plans ruined and changes made. The joy of a life lived without expectations is so much greater than the disappointment of expectations unfulfilled.