Monday, October 29, 2007

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

On the day after the Colorado Rockies lost the World Series, there were a lot of sick hearts around. They had won so many games so amazingly, and we thought they would win it all or at least some. But they did not.

I've been thinking a lot today about expectations, those events or realities in life we long for and believe must come true. Dreams and expectations are powerful agents in our lives. But when expectations go unfulfilled or dreams are dashed, they can come equally damaging and painful.

There is a fine line between WANTING our expectations and NEEDING them to be true. It's the difference between a life of joyful trust or painful disappointment. Everyone has experienced the pain of broken expectations, but not everyone heals well from the sadness they create. If we believe expectations MUST come true, we are setting ourselves up for possible devastation. One of the painful effects of failed expectations is the loss of trust. If an important dream has been dashed, it can be difficult to trust others, ourselves or even trust God.

God calls us to place our trust in His promises, not in human deeds. Only His promises merit our complete and total trust. God gives us reason to trust Him. He promised a Savior who would grant eternal life to all who trust Him, and that Savior came to us in Jesus of Nazareth. He has promised we will never have more trouble than we can endure, and He has promised an eternity free of pain and sorrow to all who place their trust in Jesus. And God keeps His promises!

Proverbs 13:12 tells us, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life." Today, may each of you who are heartsick over anything, whether it seems great or small, realize God gives us what is needful, what lasts in life. It is all yours in Jesus your Savior.

May a godly and heartfelt dream come true for you very soon.

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