Devotion: Great Expectations

Luke 12:48 “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.”

I grew up in a very small, conservative Wisconsin Synod church in Buffalo, Minnesota. In that church, my friends and I were expected to sit still, sing loud and never question adults. We were expected to go to Sunday School and to stay out of the way when the women were working in the kitchen. I expected that on Christmas Eve when I was done playing my part in the Christmas program, I would get a white paper sack filled with peanuts and fruit. I expected that on summer days when church let out, I would have enough time to play a game of tag in the cemetery before we left. And I expected that if my dad ever caught me standing on a grave, I would get a spanking when we got home.

When Pastor Greg asked in worship on Sunday if I had thought about God having expectations of me, I didn’t have such concrete examples. I wasn’t sure I could put it into words, but I knew with my whole heart that yes, God has expectations for me. He expects that I will care for my husband, my children, my parents, my brother and those that I call family and friends. He expects that I will be generous and compassionate towards those whom I perceive don’t have it all together. He expects that when I feel a nudge, I will listen and act on it. He expects that when I don’t know what to do, I will do what is right to help fulfill his great expectations.

Gracious Father, Open our eyes to see what you want us to see, to do what you want us to do. Let all our actions and words reflect your love and your expectations. In your loving Son’s name, Amen.

written by Julie Anderson