The Role of Expectation

There is a little sign hanging on the wall in our kitchen that says, "Help me be the kind of person my dog thinks I am."  The sentiment of the sign speaks to the trusting nature of man's best friend.  As I said in an article a few weeks ago, our miniature schnauzer, Max, always sees the best in everyone, for he never meets a stranger nor seems to remember a harsh word that has been spoken to him.  In his eyes, I am one of those wonderful people who feed, walk, and take care of him and that seems to be enough for him. 

 

The sign also got me thinking about the role of expectation in human relationship.  We tend to spend a great deal of our time trying to live up to the expectations of others.  There is a fair amount of pressure associated with the statement I mentioned above in the context of human relationship.  Help me be the kind of person ____ thinks I am. (You could fill in the blank with the name of any person important to you)  At its best, that kind of statement challenges me to be at my best in a way that encourages others.  At its worst, such a statement makes me a slave to the expectations of others, which quite frankly, aren't always realistic nor achievable. 

 

We are blessed to live in a free nation that celebrates its 238th birthday this July 4th.  This nation continues to be a place of great opportunity and possibility.  It is also a place of wildly varying perspectives and expectations.  We are encouraged subtly and not so subtly through advertising campaigns, changing fashion trends, and political, ideological, and theological expectations to conform to the values of others.  The blessing of freedom is not be held captive, however, to the expectations of others.  Yes, there is a responsibility we have to our nation to be good citizens who take seriously this blessing of citizenship, but there must always be an allowance for different ideas, genuine dialogue, and respect for the perspectives of others, even if it differs from our own. 

 

The late, South African president, Nelson Mandela, once wrote, "To be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others."  Jesus continually challenged his followers to love, forgive, pray for, and serve others, not as a means of controlling their actions, but exemplifying the best of what God calls each of us to be as children made in God's image. 

 

It's fairly easy to live up to the expectations of my canine friend, Max...not so easy to do so in the world around me.  Perhaps the apostle Paul offers sound advice about expectation when he writes in Romans 12:2,  "Do not be shaped by this world; instead be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect." (NCV)  In the grand scheme of things, to work toward honoring God's expectations is indeed the best use of the freedom God has given.

 

Have a safe and blessed 4th of July.

 

Jim Abernathy