Holy Expectation - My God My Everything

As the packing and moving continued I was excited to begin a new bible study called “Finding I Am” by Lysa Terkeurst. It had videos that were filmed in Israel and it was a highlight of my day to spend some time each morning seeing and hearing the message. The lessons continued the work of remodeling my heart and mind. I was beginning to see the parallels of physically and spiritually moving.

Both were exciting and challenging. I had an idea of how I thought things would go, my expected scenarios, and then of course the unknown was always present. Things do not always go according to plan and you have to expect the unexpected. That’s what God Adventures are all about.

One day the message was on John 6:1-15; the feeding of the 5000. “A great crowd of people followed Him because they saw the miraculous signs He had performed on the sick.” The question was asked, “Imagine a man like that in your life today. What would you ask for in that situation?” What promise from God are you waiting to be fulfilled?

I was surprised at my response, I wouldn’t ask for anything – I didn’t need a physical miracle and praise God my family was healthy. I was content and comfortable. That may seem like a great place to be, but when you could be experiencing God sized Adventures, being content and comfortable will collect dust and it was time to shake things up. Besides that, other people were not is the same situation and were in dire need of a miracle.

The truth is that I have been more blessed by God than I deserve. He continually amazes me with His abundant provision. Family, home, health, work, friends and so much more. When I pray for family it’s usually for ways I would like them to be; safe, healthy, happy etc. My prayers were lacking any deep heart felt expectation from God and without that expectation, nothing amazing is going to happen…in me. God is able to help them in amazing ways all on His own, but He invites me to be apart of His work and that will change me and transform me into the person He created me to be.

In the bible passage Jesus asked Philip where to buy bread for the people, but He already knew the answer. Why do you think He did that? The bible says, “He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.” Philip’s response was one of impossibilities. He reasoned in his own mind why it wouldn’t be possible.

I do that too. In my prayers I pray what I think is best for people or what I would like for them. But in the back of my mind I have doubts that they can really overcome or change. “Andrew, another disciple brought a young boy to Jesus with five loaves and two fishes, but how far will they go among so many?” I also do that, try to create my own solution and still doubt that it’s possible.

The study asked another question, “How have you seen God show up in a seemingly impossible situation in your life or in the life of someone you know?” The men that prayed for my family in the hospital years ago had Holy Expectation. They went to the hospital that day with purpose and stayed until they knew they had completed the task. I will always remember their prayer and their Holy Expectation. They spoke with God as if they were close friends, familiar and with purpose. They were excited to have found us and fulfilled their call from God that day. I was grateful they were obedient and persistent. I want to be that way too!

So what is God trying to teach me with this? Each day is an opportunity to be with Jesus, to walk with Him and be a part of His work. Knowing who He is can erase any doubts about what is possible. Instead of praying my will for people I can ask Him what His will is for them and agree with Him, pray for them and expect God sized results.

Jesus was always on the move, meeting people, being available to them and encouraging them. He didn’t let the dust settle. In Mark 6:24 (MSG) it says, “At the sight of them His heart broke – like sheep with no shepherd they were. He went right to work teaching them.” Does my heart break for the people I pray for? It should, then I could truly pray God’s will for them and have a Holy Expectation of what God is going to do in their lives.

My prayer

Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I will look to the Lord;

I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me

Father, I thank you for the abundant provision you have blessed me with. I pray for those you place on my heart and in my path that they will see your abundance as well. Give me a heart for people, open my eyes to pray your will for them and be apart of your work; knowing that You are capable of anything and everything. Create in me a passion for Holy Expectation. I look forward to seeing Your plan in action. Amen.

Where does my help come from?

Matthew 19:26

“But with God, all things are possible”