I\u2019ve come to one of my \u2018remote offices\u2019 this morning to work. It\u2019s cold at church and it\u2019s early yet, so I thought some coffee and free wifi would be just the ticket for starting the day. Grrrr! The internet here isn\u2019t working! I listen to the man next to me try to explain to the barista (who is listening politely but is understanding nothing) what his guess is as to why the internet isn\u2019t working: \u201cCould be your router or the ISP; might try unplugging the box again or call AT&T.\u201d \u201cOkay, thanks\u201d, the barista says. He\u2019s now back in the kitchen\u00a0 – I sincerely doubt that is where the router box is!<\/p>\n
For me it\u2019s not a big deal. I can do other things on my computer that don\u2019t require the internet. But, I suspect that some will come in here specifically to use the free wifi and will be upset with this cyber glitch in the plan for their day.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m telling you this because my purpose for this time in this place today was to be inspired to write my Connection article and here it is, right in front of me… expectations.<\/p>\n
All of us have expectations. Some are developed as children when adults teach us \u2018the ways\u2019 of living. Personal hygiene, behavior and care for shared surroundings are taught through \u2018chores\u2019 with tangible rewards (my personal favorite was the sticker!) and the intangible but just as powerful correcting word or \u2018look\u2019 from the assessor (usually mom!). Expectations come into our choices regarding the relationships we engage in, the work we choose, service at restaurants, care at the hospital bedside and even the way in which we express our faith.<\/p>\n
~Expectations are hurtful when they are used as silent judges of others.<\/p>\n
~Expectations fail us when they don\u2019t evolve as our lives and situations change.<\/p>\n
~Expectations are divisive when they are not valued as a part of everyone\u2019s strata for living and considered with grace as a part of our mutual conversation.<\/p>\n
The common people and mighty rulers of ancient Jerusalem had established spoken and unspoken expectations that guided their daily co-existence. Jesus opened up the conversation about these expectations as he saw the perpetuating injustice and exclusion for many including the God he knew cared more about ALL of these souls in the present AND to their eternal living.<\/p>\n
Jesus risked revealing God\u2019s expectation for God\u2019s creation as co-creative, loving, inclusive and faithful in life-giving ways. God\u2019s expectation is grace-filled (free) as well.\u00a0 Jesus risked naming the distractions, the human challenges and the dark places of daily living that could be changed with an expectations review. \u201cDon\u2019t expect anything \u2013 give everything; \u201cLove God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.\u201d\u00a0 (Matt 22, Mark 12, Luke 10)<\/p>\n
God\u2019s loving presence, friends, is what we can expect as people of God. As Easter people, we can claim a new life, by God\u2019s grace. Celebrate a new start and a renewed willingness to expect God in all things. This gift frees us to gently recalibrate our sense of self and others. Expect only love with respect to how you view yourself; expect only love with regard to every other you encounter. Expect the fruit of the Spirit to impact your life with patience, joy, peace, kindness, understanding, faithfulness and compassion (Gal. 5:22) in every moment.<\/p>\n
What did you expect out of this Lenten season? (check all that apply!)<\/p>\n
____ Did you choose a discipline that expanded your mind and awareness, challenged your comfort zone or deepened your understanding of scripture?<\/p>\n
____ Did you give up favorite things in order to make room for those disciplines in ways that made you more aware of God with you?<\/p>\n
____ Did you expect to just breeze by the 40 days without engaging your brothers and sisters in Christ about faith?<\/p>\n
____ Did you expect to come to church and have Lent done to you? Letting pastors tell you how Lent should be and then just thinking that is enough?<\/p>\n
Lent is a time to challenge old expectations, let go of divisive ones and to prepare ourselves for the joy of new life given to ALL by God\u2019s grace.<\/p>\n
My hope is that we gather together, every week, expecting first to praise God in worship. Further, that our mutual interests include spiritual growth, serving together and expecting God\u2019s love to lead our ministry and being in this place.<\/p>\n
The guy next to me is leaving now. The barista says from behind the counter at the other end of the shop as he\u2019s pouring a latte with beauty and skill into a \u2018to-go\u2019 cup, \u201cSorry, man.\u201d And the man, putting on his coat turns and says with a smile, \u201cIt\u2019s all good man. It\u2019s not your fault.\u201d and out the door he goes. That\u2019s often not what we expect \u2013 that\u2019s grace, friends! Amen.<\/p>\n
Peace to each of you,<\/p>\n
Pastor Kelly<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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