God has blessed me with a creative imagination. My imagination can at times be useful by enhancing my talents like writing, but it can also get me into trouble. I am pretty good at dreaming up some big expectations. As you might suspect, when reality does not meet my expectations, I feel pretty discouraged.
At times I have wondered if having a creative imagination is really worth all the disappointment it sometimes causes. When I think back on some of those times of disappointment I realize that it is in those times my faith is stronger. Why? Because I am reminded of the things that will exceed my expectations.
Hope in God’s Plan
While God’s plan may not always be what I think it should be, it always exceeds what I expected. Paul recognized this as well in Ephesians 3:20. He writes,
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us”
Instead of hoping for what I want, I am learning to hope in God.
Hope in God’s Love
There are many times we may think we do not deserve God’s love. We would not extend love to someone who has acted like we have. However, no matter how undeserving we may feel, God constantly exceeds our expectation by choosing to offer us love anyway. God’s constant love reassures our hearts that the things he has promised us are true. Romans 5:3-5 says,
Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
In the midst of all the uncertainties and suffering we may experience in this world, I am thankful to have a love that I can take to the bank every time.
Hope in Eternity with God
How many hours could we spend daydreaming about Heaven and never come close to realizing its glory? There is so much breathtaking beauty God has created for us to enjoy. I wonder if that beauty even comes close to the beauty of Heaven.
When we commit to Christ, we commit for eternity. This is one commitment that has never let me down. Life is a grand adventure walking with my Father. At times it is hard, but I have the assurance that Paul speaks of in 2 Corinthians 4:17,
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. While we do not look at the things which are seen but the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
I know the hope I have of spending eternity with my Father outweighs the discouragements felt in this life.
Focus Dude!
A lot of us may have had some high expectations for the year 2020 that have been frustrated. Maybe in our frustration we are being called to remember that we have a greater hope. We are called to something higher than our expectations and disappointments. We are called to a life lived out for the glory of God. The light affliction we are experiencing may help us refocus our attention from all the business of our day to day lives back to the things that truly matter. Maybe 2020 can still be the best year yet!
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