Expectations
by Tanya Person
We all have expectations in our lives about what we think will happen or the timing of things, including how we think God will answer our prayers. But I’ve been pondering lately about how often our expectations are not met and we have disappointment instead. We may have a desire in our heart, and we know that God says He will give us the desires of our hearts. We read in Psalm 37:4, “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” We might be asking God, “when will I receive the desired of my heart?”
I wonder how often we don’t see it because we are looking in the wrong direction or looking for the wrong thing. There was a story told about a man in a flood who was looking to God to save him. A boat came by and offered to pick him up, but he declined, saying God was going to save him. He ended up on the roof as the waters were rising and a helicopter came by and offered a ride to safety. Again, he said he was waiting for God to save him. Eventually he drowned and when he got to heaven he asked God, “Why didn’t you save me?” God answered, “I sent the boat and the helicopter!” His expectation was that God would supernaturally pluck him up to safety, but God was wanting to use another means to save him.
Someone else told me they were looking at a view and God said, “turn around.” He said, “but the view is this direction.” God said, “turn around.” He turned around and saw a beautiful bird sitting there looking at him. He would have missed it if he hadn’t turned around.
I think that God is wanting to answer your prayers and bring you unexpected moments of joy, but you need to keep your eyes open, and your spiritual ears tuned to hear what he is saying so that you can see how he is moving. There are great things in store for you!
You may want to pray the following prayer.
Tanya Person Tanya and her husband, Jim, were missionaries to Hungary for over 18 years. They have worked with Ellel since 2005. After serving in various positions with Ellel in Central and Eastern Europe, God led them back to the United States, where they are now serving with the Ellel USA team. They have a passion to see leaders restored, the church discipled and walking in God’s fullness of life and freedom, and for mentoring the existing and developing team. Tanya also enjoys crocheting and knitting in her free time and has written some children’s picture books.
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