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I’ve written on expectations before, but that original entry focused on expecting great things from God. But, back to the basics for a second, just what are expectations? Expectations are when you have a situation, idea, dream, thought, etc. and you expect it to turn out a certain way. For example, I expected the guy I like to accept me, and want me. I also expected him to be perfect, read my mind, and know my every need. Kind of Jesus-level expectations I had there. I’m fairly new to it, but I want to start expecting nothing out of people. Don’t expect perfection, don’t expect them to know and want to know everything about me, because, as I’m still learning, the world does not revolve around me. It’s also not fair to have such high expectations, and put so much pressure on people. People in my own life have set high expectations on me, and I feel that if I don’t make them, they won’t like or love me anymore. And for me, that is too much pressure. I can’t please them, God, and whoever else all at the same time, I have to choose... People’s expectations of me are like what I expected of Lovely, too high for me to reach. People’s expectations put pressure on me, make me crumble, and give me anxiety. They are not something I can attain on my own, because I am human. They want me to reach this, “good enough” level. When you get straight A’s, you’ll be good enough. When you get a 5 year degree, you’ll be good enough. When you have your own house, kids, car, whatever! I will never, ever be good enough -- Not for those types of people. I will never be perfect, like they want me to be. But God, God says I am good enough. He’s proud of me no matter what I do. No matter how many accomplishments I have or not, I still mean the world to Him, and He’s still cheering for me. He doesn’t give up on me, and doesn’t want me to give up, either. He knows me, knows I can do better, and will help me to reach that goal. He doesn’t leave me alone, doesn’t abandon me. He doesn’t say, “go reach perfection on your own” He’s right there with me every step of the way, it’s a new day. He reminds me His mercies are new every morning. What goal can we reach today? How can we help those who are hurting? God’s first and foremost goal is His glory, and like David Platt said, who else would you rather glorify? The God of the Universe, or some random person? Back to expectations. God’s expectations for us are not too high, as in, they’re not impossible for us to reach. (Nothing is impossible with God, but you know what I mean.) They are expectations that are perfectly attainable. Taking a breath a few seconds from now, that’s attainable. God’s goals for us aren’t quite that small necessarily, but we’re that capable of completing them. God’s expectations for us are clear: to become more and more like Him. To let our hearts be changed by His love, so that we may become new, different people, and change the world. Some things might seems small, like a paper clip, or sticky notes, but in their own way, they changed the world. We might feel small. We might think, “my one act of kindness, or me forgiving this rude stranger, or me doing something ‘small’ for the Kingdom couldn’t possibly make a difference.” But it does. That person who you helped will think of you later, and wonder why you stepped out of the way, put everything aside, including yourself, and helped that person out. Jesus said that this is how the world will know that we are His disciples, by loving one another. Loving someone is putting their needs ahead of ours. That’s our goal, that’s what God expects of us. He fills you with His love, and you go out and spread it to the world. Then the person you impacted eventually discovers His love, shares it with someone else, and that goes on and on until the whole Earth is filled. (That is my dream!) But we can’t do that sitting still! God expects us to move, to go out, to be radical. Don’t be the same, don’t blend in. God doesn’t expect us, or at least want us, to try to be like Him and then try to blend in with the world at the same time. God and the world function very differently, and you have to choose which way you’re willing to go. Eternity, or temporary. Never being good enough, or being told by the God who loves you, “you are always enough” . Pleasing others, or pleasing God. (and He isn’t difficult to please!) It’s one or the other, you can’t do both. Lastly, you have the choice between trying to reach expectations you can never truly satisfy from other people, or expectations from a God who knows your limits, talents, abilities, strengths, weaknesses, and wants to turn it into something amazing. Don’t let the unreachable expectations of the world fool you, thinking that if you press yourself hard enough, and give in, you’ll be good enough. Instead, run into the arms of God, who says, “My love, my darling, you are always enough for me, and I am always proud of you. Don’t be afraid to come home.”
You are LOVED!! And thank you for reading! Lots of love, Melody
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Melody C.God has given me the natural talent as a writer. I felt Him encourage me in the direction of using my natural skill in writing for Him, instead of investing in skills that were basically going to waste. I have been writing my whole life. I love to answer questions, give advice, and share experiences. I hope you enjoy it, and I pray that God speaks through me and to you. If there are ever any typos, please ignore them. They will be fixed as soon as I notice them. Archives
February 2019
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