Expectations

Focus Scripture:  No matter what, I will continue to hope and passionately cling to Christ, so that he will be openly revealed through me before everyone’s eyes.  So I will not be ashamed!  In my life or in my death, Christ will be magnified in me. – Philippians 1:20

Have you ever had expectations that did not get fulfilled?  Perhaps a coworker let you down.  Perhaps you were trusting God for something in your life that never materialized.  Expectations can be a difficult trap for each of us if we are not fully committed to God’s purposes in our lives.

Paul wrote this verse from prison to the people of Philippi.  He had an expectation that his life would bring glory to Gold, whether through his continued ministry or his death.  His joy in living was not based on his expectations getting fulfilled but on remaining true to the purpose for which God made him.

When we react to circumstances with bitterness and resentment due to unmet expectations, we’re saying that we know better than God. 

In our work lives we all know this feeling well.  Expectations stretch toward us every day:

• Performance expectations
• Leadership expectations
• Customer expectations
• Personal expectations
• Parental expectations
• Spousal expectations
• Unspoken cultural expectations

Paul shows us something powerful:  The expectations that matter most are the ones we set on Christ, not the ones others set on us.  Paul’s expectation is not about outcomes, promotions or success – It’s about courage to honor Christ no matter what the day brings.

Paul message in Philippians 1:20 speaks to us in our work lives s well.

• Expectations shape courage – Expectations shape courage by determining where you believe strength will come from.  Paul had one core expectation – Christ will give him courage, and Christ will be exalted through him.   That single expectation gave him the boldness he needed.
• Expectations that honor Christ – Instead of meeting every demand perfectly, Paul focused on one expectation – that Christ would be exalted through him.  Paul had to decide what he wanted his life and work to say about Christ. 
• Expectations that reduce pressure – when your primary expectation is Christ’s strength, not your own performance, pressure loses its power. Paul is facing enormous pressure – uncertainty, imprisonment, possible death – yet he speaks with calm courage.  His secret is simple – he expects Christ to supply what he cannot.
• Expectations that guide conduct – Paul expects his life to reflect Christ.  In the workplace this means integrity, patience and excellence – not perfectionism.  Christ centered conduct is not simply living in a way that makes Christ visible through your everyday work – Your tone, decisions, reactions and habits become a reflection of him.
• Expectations that build resilience – Paul’s expectation gives him resilience even in prison.  Our expectations can either drain us or strengthen us.  Resilience in scripture isn’t about being tough – it’s about learning where to stand when life shakes you. 

Once we yield our expectations to the Lord, this will allow God to work in our hearts the grace that is needed to walk in freedom from the disappointments of the unmet expectations.  If we do not do this, we will allow the seed of bitterness and resentment to enter in.  This seed of bitterness will create leanness in our soul and eventually spread to others.

My question to you today is – Do you have any unmet expectations?   I think we all do don’t’ we?   Maybe here at work?  Maybe at home?  Maybe in our personal lives?   How have you responded to them?  Have you processed this with the Lord?   These are the steps to freedom from unmet expectations.  

God brought each and every one of us into the roles that we have here in our jobs.   Our roles here are only part of the purpose of why we were created.   Remember as difficult is it can be  - our expectation each and every day is to honor Christ in all that we do.   As we walk through the chapters of Philippians expectations, courage and strength continue to become prominent.   “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13 – Paul isn’t saying he can accomplish anything he wants.  He’s saying he can endure anything life brings – need, abundance, hardship, pressure – because Christ is the source of his strength.