Who Do You Expect to See? - October 7
Today’s Readings - AM Psalm 119:145-176;Micah 2:1-13; Acts 23:23-35; Luke 7:18-35
It can be confusing for children to know what’s right and what’s wrong. For that matter it can be confusing for adults as well. Too often what we’re taught isn’t what we see. Often adults can’t seem to keep their behaviors in line with how they know they’re supposed to behave, how they’ve told their children to behave. I can talk until I’m blue in the face about not being judgmental or treating others with kindness or trusting God and having faith in God’s presence, but If I don’t live those values my words mean nothing. My actions, however, can speak volumes. When life gets challenging, I’m not immune from having an occasional crisis in faith, letting my mouth or my attitude run amuck. But then I’m reminded of what I preach, who I want to be, who I believe God created me to be and I hit reset, ask for forgiveness and try again.
When my children were young it was a struggle to ensure they were influenced in positive healthy ways. It’s no different if not worse today. There are so many influences surrounding our children from their friends, the music they listen to and the social media they’re bombarded by. I remember when my oldest daughter was five or six years old, she used a curse word and my parents looked at me very accusingly and asked, “I wonder where she heard that?” Well to be honest she could have heard it from me, but she also could have heard it from a dozen other sources. Whether we realize it or not we are all influenced more by someone’s actions than their admonishments.
When Jesus is asked by John’s disciples, “Are you the one who is to come?” rather than answer with a simple “yes,” he tells them to go back and tell John what they have seen and heard. Someone who tells you they’re your friend yet only thinks of themselves or fails to be present when you need help is no friend. Demonstrating love speaks much more loudly of true feelings, than empty words. Jesus knew his actions were the proof they needed.
When Jesus asks the crowds about their reaction to John: “What did you expect when you went into the wilderness, what did you expect to see,” we’re reminded of how unrealistic expectations can be. Did they expect to see someone John was never going to be? Someone in fine clothing or who he truly was, a prophet, a man of God?
Jesus wants us to realize that the work of God is often not what we expect, not glamorous or appealing. It can be hard and we can disappoint not only others but ourselves. Our expectations are often influenced by our culture when it would serve us better to focus more on what Jesus might expect. When I’m disappointed in myself, I’m reminded of the grace and forgiveness God offers and wonder “Who do I expect to be?” Could I be expecting to see someone else when I look in the mirror? Someone who is infallible, unshakeable? Someone I could never be? What a disappointment that would be. Thanks be to God that’s not the expectation.
Faithfully,
Sally+
Questions for Reflection and Challenge - Do you occasionally find yourself disappointed in yourself? Ask yourself, who’s standards are you abiding by – culture’s or God’s. How can we make peace with ourselves when we’re disappointed in ourselves or others? Possibly we need to ask that same question – who’s standards are we trying to live by?