Expectations: not guaranteed

Let’s talk about expectations. Everyone has them. They may be that you expect to get your dream job, you expect to make a lot of money, you expect to get married at the time you want. You may think to yourself, “I am a good person, so shouldn’t I get the things that I have worked so hard for?” But let me tell you a truth that may sting: God didn’t promise you your dream job, dream salary or dream boy. I remember the first time that I heard that, and it hurt real bad. I remember thinking that that person was a liar and a blasphemer because God wants what is good for me. The audacity she had to tell me that the great plans I had for my life were not promised and that they might not happen was astonishing. The truth is - she was right.

The truth is that in Isaiah 55:8 it says, "’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD.” Y’all, this is why it is SO important to seek His will for your life. When you decide that His plan will be far better than yours, you will not experience the heartbreak of wrecked plans that you romanticized so much. I know that the heartbreak is real because I had a great plan for myself for my time at college. I was going to meet a boy my freshman year, start dating, get engaged the summer between junior and senior year, and get married when I graduated. Well I am graduating in one month and I am still single lol. I am thankful for all that God has done in my heart, but if I would have laid down my plans at His feet and sought His will for my time in college I would not have had to go through that. I do not want you to go through the pain of wrecked plans, so my prayer is that you seek what He wants for this season you are in.

Now please do not think that because the good things that you want may not be what God wants for you, that God wants bad for you. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” The plans that He has had for you before you were even born are ones that will bless you, support you, encourage you and give you hope. Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Honey, He has a plan for you, so stop exhausting yourself worrying about your post grad plans, your next step or even who you’re supposed to marry. Proverbs 16:9 says, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Take heart in that He cares so deeply for you and will establish your steps.

Regardless of what your life may look like, you know that your eternal soul rests in Him if you have accepted Him as your Savior. I know that if I lost everything (my friends, family, the opportunity to go to school, house, money, and everything else He has blessed me with), I still have hope and so do you. Our hope is in Him alone (Psalm 62:5, Psalm 39:7, Psalm 75:1. Honestly just go read the Psalms to be reminded of where our hope should be). Remember Job? He was wealthy, healthy and a God-fearing man. He lost everything, y’all, and you know how he responded? He remained faithful to God, and because of his faithfulness, God restored his fortunes and health. Through every trial and tribulation, stay faithful to Him and although you may feel afflicted, you are not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

So we can expect God’s faithfulness. The bible is full of promises that we can put our trust in and expect them to be fulfilled. We can expect that when you receive the free gift of salvation, our soul will rest in heaven (John 3:16). We can expect that He is good (Exodus 34:6). We can expect that His plans for our lives are in His hands (Jeremiah 29:1). We can expect to always be loved (Romans 8:37-39). Focus on the sure things, let the other things fall in place and pursue His will above your own.