Expectation

by Andrew Cromwell

You get what you expect. I know that’s not always true. Like you, I’ve been disappointed plenty of times when I expected one thing and got another. I expected a great steak and instead I got shoe-leather. I expected perfect weather and got rain. I expected to win and I lost.

But there is something powerful about expectation and we all realize it. I have heard it described like an energy that is sent out and draws that which is expected back toward you. I don’t think that is exactly how it works, but I have seen my expectations influence people. I can see my expectation affect my kids. When I expect them to succeed and they know it, they try harder and succeed more often. When I expect them to fail, they barely even try.

When our outlook on life is one of positive expectation, things often turn out positively. But when we have a negative expectation, I can guarantee you, we will find something to meet it. When I go to Wal-mart I tend to drive right to the front and look for parking spots close by. Probably 80% of the time I find one. My expectation is that I am going to find a spot. But if my expectation is that there probably will be no spots, then I don’t even bother driving up front because “there won’t be a spot anyway.”

It is a choice to view the world in a positive way. Pollyana said it well when she said, “If you look for the good in people, you will surely find it.” Those with positive expectation can always find something good in every situation and in every person.

Now, I think this is the way that everyone should live. The world would be a better place. As a pastor, I believe this is the way that God wants us to live. Because He created the world and made it good, we should expect that we will see good in it. And because He created human beings in His image, we know that we can always find something redeemable in everyone.

Romans 8:28 says that God works all things together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose. This means that if you are a follower of Christ, then the Father will work everything out in your favor. You can’t lose. Even when you lose, you can’t lose! Talk about a positive expectation!

So if life has beat you up, you need to know that God has a plan for you and that He wants to work things out in your favor. All you have to do is cooperate with Him. You need to put yourself in a position where He is on your side. If you’re far from God today, it’s an easy fix, come into His corner and let Him go to work for you. He has good things in store!

Have Courage

by Andrew Cromwell

There may be one or two valuable things I have gained from the social media site Instagram besides peering into the lives of friends and web-celebrities and wondering how in the world they got their pictures to look so good. Well, two might be a stretch, but for sure I have learned one thing. That is, there is a lot of negativity out there in the world and in order to combat it requires a continual decision to move in the opposite direction of the natural flow.

A constant theme of many of the “successful” instagrammers is that they have stopped worrying about what other people think and have decided to focus on personal growth and positive thinking. You see this theme echoed almost verbatim from all kinds of people, from the fitness fanatics to the business builders  to the stylish savants.

Why this common thread? Is it possible that all these people have a shared media playbook that is advising them that encouraging posts will garner them more followers? And what’s more, how can I get myself a copy?

While I don’t really believe there is a secret book on how to become a social media celebrity, I do believe this common thread is a reaction to the experience of this life that we all share in common. All of us face disappointment, negativity, broken dreams, and tragedy. Life is corrosive in that way. It is a natural result of the broken state of the world we live in.

Once upon a time we were full of hope and expectation for the future. We believed that we could achieve great things. We had in our mind’s eye a picture of what our life would look like -- the perfect spouse, family, and job. But somewhere along the way our fairytale bubble was burst and now we are guarded, jaded, and even fearful.

As a result of this common experience, some have fought back by seeking out encouraging words and focusing on the positive. This is a great response, but there is an even better way.

That better way goes deeper than positive words of self-affirmation because it focuses on a person who actually can and will help. Someone who is powerful enough to actually make a difference. That person is Jesus Christ and he offers more than positive energy..

The historical accounts in the Bible record how the disciples were often afraid, doubt-filled, anxious, and confused. We deal with those same emotions and same reality today. The answer Christ offered His disciples, is the same He offers today. Jesus said to His disciples, “Take courage for I have overcome the world” and “fear not little flock, your Father wants to give you the kingdom.”

When we put our trust in a person that doesn’t ever fail then we don’t have to be fearful and anxious. We can have courage. He promises a better tomorrow. Today might be difficult and broken, but tomorrow He will put things right. This life is only temporary and He offers strength to overcome today’s weakness and a new and brighter day after.

So are the things you are afraid of too big for Him to deal with? I don’t think so. Be encouraged, He answers those who call.