Expectations.

3 minute read

Summer is filled with expectations.

The good kind: Slower mornings, sleeping in (lol), swimming, playing outside, vacations, camps, staying up later, fun times with friends.

And also the real-life kind: screen time limits, reading, working on sight words, chores, increasing responsibilities to prepare a child for what’s expected of them in the coming grade, learning new skills like swimming or riding bikes or learning how to swing which is a BIG one in our house because YOUR GIRL IS DOG TIRED OF PUSHING YOU ON THE SWING sweet child of mine.

As the summer days roll on, some of these might be met, and a lot of these not so much. Case and point: Last summer’s best laid plans and Cecca’s thoughts about them…

It’s all well and good to set goals, make plans and have expectations, but what happens when (not if) those don’t get met?

If the trip gets canceled or your child falls behind in reading or the swing-pusher slavery continues, we often meet these results with disappointment, anxiety, grumbling, and more.

What if this summer we view all the expectations through a different lens though?! I’m talking one with lasting power and mystery and FUN. In? In! If you think this sounds woo-woo and pie-in-the-sky, hang with me while we look at two people who have this alternative outlook on expectations down pat. 

Enter Simeon and Anna in Luke 2:25-38:

At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.”

There is a special section in my Bible that highlights Simeon and Anna, and a sentence from it is the theme for this entire post (and my entire summer come to think of it!):

“Simeon and Anna give us a picture of godly expectation in an environment ripe with expectations.”

Side-note… It always bothers me grammatically-speaking that we don't capitalize the word godly, so, well, let’s fix that in this humble corner of the world:

“Simeon and Anna give us a picture of Godly expectation in an environment ripe with expectations.”

What examples of Godly expectation do we see from Simeon and Anna?

The text calls Simeon righteous and devout and says he is eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. One could say waiting on the Lord was his life’s work because while holding JESUS THE MESSIAH in his arms, he asks God to now let him die in peace.

And sweet Anna! This elderly saint spent the entirety of her life after losing her husband in the Temple day and night worshiping God with fasting and prayer. Can you imagine the joy and validation she felt when she happened upon THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD in her humble daily routine of worshiping the Lord?

What is the difference between worldly expectations and Godly expectations?

Worldly expectation is hurried and chaotic, and it typically comes with pressure, competition, comparison, performance… and often disappointment. In the cases where it is met, it can feel fleeting and we take it for granted. 

I believe Godly expectation is experienced when we are walking in the Spirit seeking God’s will. It does not look at all like worldly expectation at all. Godly expectation flows freely through the will of God, and it is joyful, restful, thoughtful and full of the fruits of the Spirit. I also have a hunch it shines brightest when our worldly expectations are as scribbled as Cecca’s chore chart ;)

And guess what? It’s guaranteed! So really there shouldn’t be any stress. We can always count on God to have our very best in store. Will it look like we think it should? Probably not. Will it be better? Count on it. Will it come quickly? Sometimes. Will it take longer than we think it should? Usually ;) Is His timing always, always perfect? YEP.

What does this look like to live with Godly expectation? 

Well first it looks like asking the Holy Spirit to lead you into God’s will and for a willing Spirit to yield to it. 

Secondly, it looks like grace because we won’t do it perfectly. 

From there, it’s living open-eyed and open-handed. When something doesn’t go as planned, we expect to learn something God wants us to learn, and we rest in His sovereignty. This outlook also helps us rightly view when things do go as expected! I just found this note scribbled in the margins from a sermon years ago alongside Ecclesiastes 2:18-28:

“Satisfaction is something to find along the journey - it is not a destination! Walk with Him because apart from Him, you cannot enjoy it! This will change your expectation - you’ll see the good in your life as gifts. Acknowledge Him in all you do - it’s all a gift from Him. Satisfaction is in the journey of daily walking with Him!”

Every minute of everyday can be met with Godly expectation. Birds singing? Praise Him! Sun shining? Praise Him! Child sassing at you? Ok Lord, what do you have in store for me and for them in this moment?

Y’all this can also be something as trivial and #uptownproblems as being stuck in a convo at your very nice Country Club with someone you don’t really wanna be talking to – meet THIS with Godly expectation! Why does God have you there? How can you love this person? What might be gained by not avoiding their gaze and saying hello?

Living in Godly expectation is more fun and more joyful than living in worldly expectation. It’s more exciting - more fulfilling. Every. Single. Thing. We do can be greeted with Godly expectation, and when we do this, the not-so-great results are always easier to stomach because we’re in communication with Him and, and, and when the results we hoped for happen, they feel that much more personal and perfect because they’re aligned with His will!

My wise friend Emily once told me: The will of God is irresistible. When we live with Godly expectation in a world ripe with expectation, He lovingly guides us into His perfect and irresistible will.

Whadya say we head into summer 2k22 with Godly expectations?!

Father God, you are only good! Your love knows no bounds, and your mercies are new every morning. Father, your infinite wisdom and power should be what we revere - not our own expectations and plans. Let us hold on loosely to our fleshly plans and help us walk with great expectancy into what you have in store for us! Your way is always better. Don’t let us miss the simple gifts - they are too numerous to count. When life feels off the rails - don’t let us miss what you’re teaching. We are your sheep in need of a Shepherd, help us remember this! God bless this summer for every person reading right now. Fill it with whimsy and joy and FUN! We love you and we trust you. In your Son’s perfect name I pray, Amen.

Suggested Scripture (don’t miss this one! ;)

Read Luke 2:25-38

What qualities and fruits does Simeon display?

What about Anna?

How do you think Mary and Joseph felt about Simeon and Anna’s responses to Jesus?

Can you think of a time when God gave you affirmation of His plans through His people?

You have 2 doors in front of you:

Behind Door 1 is the fulfillment of every earthly expectation you might have - financial security, full healing, your child’s life choices to go as you wish, the man/woman of your dreams, your “forever home”, etc.

Behind Door 2 is meeting Jesus face-to-face in the Temple like Simeon and Anna. He is older now with scars on his hands and the deepest love for you in His eyes you’ve ever seen.

Which door do you choose?