Misplaced Expectation - Genesis 29:15-30
As l read the scriptures above, my personal experience of how I had a misplaced expectation while growing into adulthood stared me in the face. Permit me to share this story because I believe it may help us see ourselves in the light of God's word. As a young adult desiring to get married, I had so many expectations of what a perfect wife would be.
First, the woman must be tall, fair, slim and a professional or career woman perhaps a medical doctor or a lawyer. Secondly, she must come from a particular community or family. Despite being a Christian already, I had my list ready and was on the lookout for the perfect woman with these qualities. There was nothing wrong with all these expectations; however I did not asked if it is the will of God for me.
I never bordered to align my expectations with God’s expectations. I placed my expectations based on what my heart desires. It wasn't long before reality began to unfold. I approached a sister in church with a view to marrying her. Her physical attributes fitted my list perfectly yet on getting to know her l was shocked to realise that her commitment to the Lord was little or nothing to write home about. Like Jacob, my expectations of meeting Rachael and discovering its Leah made me fall on my knees to ask God for help.
After years of prayers, studying Gods word and receiving Godly counsel. I was ready to do it God’s way and I surrendered to his will and today I am reaping the rewards of that single decision. God changed my expectations and gave me a woman who is able to support me in my ministry. Jeremiah 17:9; bible says “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
As we can see from the reading, Jacob's expectation was completely misplaced. He wanted to marry Rachael who was fair and beautiful. As a schemer and a cheat, he had mapped out the plan on how to execute his heart desires. No room or consideration was given to God. Unfortunately for him, he didn't realise he was also dealing with an uncle who knew the act of cheating well. He lured him into having both Rachael and Leah, hence making him turn to polygamy against his initial plans.
Despite his smart plan, it took Jacob another 7 years to achieve his desire. Several years was wasted in the pursuit of something God would have given him if only he asked. Although the Bible says that the expectations of the righteous shall not be cut off, if we ignore Gods leading in our lives, we are bound to make costly mistakes or take longer to achieve a desired outcome. Perhaps we think that God's expectation for us is not good enough or we think his method is too slow to come to pass?
Remember, God's time is the best. He makes all things beautiful in his time. Are you sure you are in the right place of God's expectation. Have you enquired from God? God is ever willing to help us in all our endeavours and I can guarantee you his way is always the best.
Matthew 7:11; "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
In life, one thing I have observed is that many misplaced expectations leads to two major behaviour, misplaced priorities and misplaced pursuits. Once our focus shifts from God’s will to other distractions, we start making what we expect our priorities and begin to pursue it.
Like Jacob who had an expectation to marry Rachael, he made it his priority to serve seven years for her hand in marriage and immediately he began to pursue that course.
What are the things we have misplaced in our life -maybe a calling to evangelise our community has been misplaced for making more money. May be to serve in the church, May be to be a prayer warriors or a missionary.
If we are doing what he called us, are we doing it well or do we need review? Obviously, this does not mean God cannot call you to serve in Government or business but the key issue is this – is God first and is he the one steering your ship?
I leave you to ponder on these thoughts...