Join us this Sunday! In-Person 9:00am & 10:45am, Online 9:00am, 10:45am & 5:00pm

Join us this Sunday! In-Person 9:00am & 10:45am, Online 9:00am, 10:45am & 5:00pm

Join us at the next Sunday worship service:
In-Person
9:00am & 10:45am,
Online 9:00am, 10:45am & 5:00pm

Great Expectations

“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” – Colossians 3:17.

Sometimes it feels like God has great expectations for me. God wants so much from me. What do I need to give up? What should I do more? Do I need to read the Bible more, pray more, invest more of my time, money, and resources?  Do I need to volunteer at church more, lead a small group, or mentor others? Basically, I need to do more. But doing a lot more is a lot more. Serving God seems to come with some strings attached. I want to serve the Lord. I want to feel like I have made a contribution, even small, for all God has done for me. But how can I meet God’s expectations for my life? 

It is easy to think in those terms and equally easy to think that God expects and wants a lot from each of us: time, money, energy, focus, worship, passion, to name a few. Our life in Christ does cost us something – everything. God does want our best, but our best won’t ever be good enough. If you are wondering if you measure up to what God wants from us, pause and ask a simple question: what does God really want from me? 

The Bible gives a pretty clear indication that God doesn’t so much want things from us. God actually wants things for us. God doesn’t want much from me: God wants so much for me. There is a difference. God is for you, because He loves you. Jesus came so that you could live a full life empowered by His wisdom, principles and God’s Spirit. “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” (John 10:10)

God is for us. Never against us. God wants you to know and understand Him, God doesn’t just want you to wonder about Him.  “But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken!” (Jeremiah 9:24) 

So the next time you think about expectations and having the skills needed to do what God is asking for you to do consider this: I’m not working for God. I’m working with God. We are working with a God that can do anything that wants to work through each one of us. Or as Oswald Chambers said, “work out” what God “works in” you.

God expects us to do His will, but He is in us to do it.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think God has unrealistic expectations for us?
  2. What do you think God wants to do through you?  What can you do this week to accomplish what God wants to do through you? 

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