Expectations of God

EXPECTATIONS OF GOD

More planning goes into our time in India than into anything else we do.  Travel, housing & food, conference locations and schedules, teaching lessons, new magic to use, blogs, finances, book distribution and much more takes a lot of organization and coordination.  No matter how well we plan, we always have many changes and adjustments as we go along.  We plan as well as we are able but don’t expect things to always go a planned.  Ministry in India is full of surprises and disappointments.  We know that will happen and expect it.

“Accept surprises that upset your plans, shatter your dreams, give a completely different turn to your day and – who knows? – to your life. Leave the Father free Himself to weave the pattern of your days.”  Source: A Thousand Reasons for Living Dom Helder Camara

In India we are very aware of not being in control of things, but at home we often think our day should always progress just as we planned it.  We pray “Your kingdom come, Your will be done,” but we live “My kingdom come, my will be done.”  I need to spend less time trying to get God to do what I want and more time making sure I do what He wants, even if it isn’t what I was expecting.  Flexibility is the name of the game, not just in India, but anywhere and anytime throughout this life!

Philippians 4:12-13   I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

James 4:13-17  Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”  Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

How do you respond to interruptions and changes to your day?  Would those who live with you and know you best say you are flexible?

What upsets you most when things don’t go as planned?  Why do they bother you so much?  Why do you think God allows them to happen?

How should you respond next time something upsets your plans?

C t O Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
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