Expectations part 4
If you expect one thing then there's only one way for you to not be disappointed. And a million billion trillion ways for you to be disappointed. See what I mean about setting yourself up for failure? Being doomed to disappointment? But if you take things for what they are--instead of what you wish they were--then you can enjoy whatever situation it is that you find yourself in. Let me say it another way: "I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:12-13). If you know how to handle both being abased and abounding then you can roll with the punches. You can handle whatever life throws at you. You can do all things. Through Christ. Which strengthens you. And that's the key--being still and knowing that HE is God. Knowing that GOD is in control. And knowing that God is love. Knowing that love is in control. Trusting love. Letting love guide the way. Doing things not because you expect a result from those things, but doing things because they are in your heart to do them. I think that's certainly the best reason to do something. And perhaps the only reason. A life of service is a life worth living. A life of love is what its all about. Letting God (who is love) love you, and loving others with that same love. Without fear. Without expectations. Because the truth of the matter is, you can love someone with everything you have and everything you are... and they might never love you back. Not the way you want them to. And that's ok. Because love is not ever about getting. It can't be. Because love IS giving. And when you give someone something, you can't control what they do with what you give them. All you can do is give what you've got and then let it be what its going to be. You can't change people. And you shouldn't. I can't tell you how many times I've heard someone say, "I love you," and what they really meant was, "I love the idea of you." They meant, "I'm going to try my level best to change you into someone that I can love." And, tragically, we think that's what the cross was. We think the cross changed us into something God could all of a sudden, finally, love. When the truth is, God always has and always will love us. The cross simply changed us into something that could all of a sudden, finally, RECEIVE God's love. That's what happened when God gave us His Son. His Spirit. The Holy Spirit which is the Spirit of Truth that leads us into all truth--the truth that God is love and He loves you. And here's where it gets really twisted (and where I might end this Rant series tomorrow): God loves US without expectation. He doesn't make us jump through hoops to earn, or keep, His love. Religion might tell a different story, but I'm here to tell you that if love isn't unconditional... it isn't love. If it comes with expectations... its something else entirely. If it comes with conditions... or if you have to earn it... then its not a gift. Love is freely given. Without expectation. And it must be received. Without disqualification. So if you're done setting yourself up for disappointment, you can let go and let God. You can let people be who they are, and love them anyway. You can take things as they come, and find the light. Even in the darkness. You can find the love no matter what!