Are you expectant in this season?

So, he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.  Acts 3:5-7

A couple of weeks ago I was doing to the mall downtown to get some items and I did not want to pay for parking. I prayed and asked God to please provide me with a parking stall with 40 minutes of paid parking time in it. when I got downtown, I got to the first parking spot and it had no time on it. I said no, I asked God for free 40 minutes of parking, I’ll keep going. I got to the next parking spot, there was no time on it. When I got to the third spot, I said to myself, just thank God you found a spot to park, you have coins on you, pay for your parking. So, I took the spot and paid for my parking. 

I got out of the car and after walking down the street for about a minute, I saw a parking spot with 50 minutes of paid time. (God always gives more) And I heard the Holy Spirit say, you asked, I provided. I couldn’t help but ask myself how many blessings, and how many answers I have missed because I did not truly expect God to answer. Or maybe I did, but just gave up too soon. 

In our text today, we see the power of an expectation. The crippled man gave his attention to Peter because he was expecting to receive something. Peter on the other hand had a clear expectation of his desired outcome. His prayer was specific and communicated His expectation – In Jesus’ name rise up and walk. I assume that the man did not immediately get up after Peter was done praying. He probably was still sitting down lame, however, when Peter saw that his expectation was not manifest, he didn’t give up. He didn’t say, maybe God will heal you next time, no, Peter took him by the hand and lifted him. He acted consistent with his expectation and got to see the results he desired.

Actions are proof of expectations. If you expect it to rain, you would leave home with an umbrella. If you expect it to snow you’ll dress appropriately. Peter’s persistence was proof he had not given up on his expectation. My lack of persistence was proof that i had given up on my expectation to get a parking spot with time on it.   

As I thought about my response, I realized that life has a way of eroding our expectations. As you go through life, disappointments, failed expectations, and prolonged issues all have a way of reshaping us if we let them. Most of us become so guarded, we don’t trust as much, and we don’t expect much, that way we don’t get disappointed if things don’t play out the way we desire. And gradually we act the same way towards our Father.

Are you expectant in this season? Or has life pushed into a safe zone of low expectations so you can avoid possible disappointments and heartbreaks? It is my prayer today that God would heal every broken heart, strengthen the feeble and cause each one reading this post to rise above the circumstance and experiences that have caused us to lower our expectations. I pray that we would rise in faith and believe God again, believe the word again, and expect to see the answers to our prayers. 

God is good. He’s a good Father, He cares and still gives the very best.

Love Always

Obebi