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Expectations

At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.

Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, he went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. When they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.”

But He said to them, “Let us go to the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.” Mark 1:32-38

  

Father in heaven, we are so thankful that Jesus understands the pressures of life and expectations of others concerning us because He lived life in human flesh. Knowing this, we lay ourselves, our plans and our loved ones at Your feet today. We need Your wisdom and the mind of Christ to navigate through what life brings our way. Oh, how we need to hear Your voice saying, “This is the way, walk in it” when we turn to the left and the right!

We especially give you our expectations for today. So often our expectations are unrealistic both for ourselves and for others. Perhaps we are perfectionists and turn our unmet expectations inward, beating ourselves up for our perceived failures.

Perhaps we have had successful very organised lives in the past and now we have babies and young children or elderly family members to care for. Perhaps we ourselves are aging or have a chronic illness and we can’t do as much as we used to. Thank You that You gently lead those who have young and carry us in old age. Teach us to have lower expectations and a greater appreciation for what we do achieve during these seasons.

Perhaps we have expectations about others that they are unable to meet because they are hurt and damaged from their past experiences. Or perhaps our expectations based on our experiences in our family of origin don’t match with their experiences in their family of origin. When others disappoint us, we nurture hurts and let bitterness and resentment fester.  We tend to withdraw or attack. Communication breaks down.

Perhaps we need some help today, a little space and time to ourselves, or even a hug. Show us how to ask for what we need in a timely and appropriate fashion instead of expecting people to be able to read our minds and anticipate our needs.

Perhaps today we will need to say “No” to somebody’s request, to their expectations of us. Oh, that is so hard to say if we are people pleasers who automatically say “Yes” to everybody’s request because we crave approval or are afraid of rejection!

Whatever our expectations and challenges are, we rest in You. May Jesus live out His life in us today. We pray in His name. Amen

 

 

 Supporting Verses

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:5-6

 

And though the LORD gives you

The bread of adversity and the water of affliction,

Yet your teachers will not be moved into a corner anymore,

But your eyes shall be your teachers.

Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying:

“This is the way, walk in it,”

Whenever you turn to the right hand

Or whenever you turn to the left.

Isaiah 30:20-21

 

He will feed His flock like a shepherd;

He will gather the lambs with His arm,

And carry them in His bosom,

And gently lead those who are with young.

Isaiah 40:11

 

Listen to Me, O house of Jacob,

And all the remnant of the house of Israel,

Who have been upheld by Me from birth,

Who have been carried from the womb:

Even to your old age, I am He,

And even to gray hairs, I will carry you!

I have made, and I will bear;

Even I will carry, and I will deliver you.

Isaiah 46: 3-4

 

 

 

Posted: Thu 30 May 2019

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