Eyes Wide Open

I continue to be amazed at how one little word can have such a profound impact on my life and the lives of others. What word is that, you might ask?

Expectations.

Here are a few examples:

1. When Heather and I were married, I vaguely recalled a bit of advice I heard that went something like this: “The best thing you can do when starting your life together anew is to take every last one of your expectations about what your marriage will be like, good/bad/indifferent, and throw them out the window. Unfulfilled, unrealistic expectations can and will haunt you. (o.k…for the most part I can say this has been good counsel)

2. Youth Ministry…whoa. Never before have I experienced this word to be as “heavy” as it is when it comes to guiding students and their families. For students, every single year is different. Seniors graduate, eight graders become Freshman, leaders come and go, and WHAM! You have a brand-new year and a brand-new group dynamic. Yet the expectation for many young people is to experience the same kinds of “emotional high” with this year’s group as I did last year. Or, for some parents, one of two expectations exist: 1) “This is what youth group was like for me, so it shall be for my son/daughter,” -or- 2) “This is what youth group was like for my oldest son/daughter, so it shall be for each one of their siblings.” Expectations of success are then based upon “how many” went on the summer mission trip, attended Sunday School, or attended the large-group youth gathering. The most healthy expectation in youth ministry? Expect for students to be introduced to Jesus as a way of life, to be nurtured along that way by caring adults and friends (via all the ways mentioned above and much more, including small groups), and to be encouraged to share that way of life with others.

3. Finally, here are the ones I hear the most when it comes to reaching the un-churched or de-churched under the age of 30:
“We just need a dynamite singles ministry!” (see leprosy.)
-or-
“I have a nephew who is lost and needs a place to belong, what can you do to reach her? Good luck!” (Translation: “He/she is just in a phase and needs to remove all of their piercings, clean up, buy some decent clothes, and get a job that meets my approval. Since I’ve tried everything to make this happen, any chance you can try to help him/her fit into my mold?” In this instance, it is the expectations of the relative that have not been met by their loved one.)

I want to learn more about living according to the Kingdom of God rather than the Kingdom of Humanity; to embrace Jesus’ expectation of denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and following after Him. Now that’s what I call one GREAT Expectation.