Have you ever taken a drink and been totally surprised? There was one time I remember taking a sip expecting sweet tea and getting tart lemonade instead. It was revolting! It was perfectly good lemonade, but it wasn’t what I was expecting. Your expectations can encourage you or derail you in your new life with Jesus.
One day, Jesus and His disciples traveled through a Samaritan village. While the disciples went off to purchase lunch, Jesus sat down at the local well. In the heat of the day, a woman of the village came to the well to draw water. Jesus began the conversation by asking for a drink of the cool well water. During their talk, Jesus said, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” (John 4:13–14, NLT) A wonderful picture and promise.
But the woman didn’t get it. Instead of seeing the larger meaning of a forever joy-filled life with God, her expectation was more short-lived. “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.” (John 4:15, NLT) Jesus’ offer and the woman’s expectation were at odds with each other.
Everyone who encounters Jesus comes with many needs. Some are upfront in our minds, but there are others that we don’t even recognize. At one level, the woman’s need was for water. But Jesus saw a deeper need in her. The same is true for you and me.
In order to grow in Christ, it is important to set proper expectations. No one’s first experience with Jesus is exactly the same. Some report that a great weight was lifted. Others were immediately healed of addictions or bad habits. Some experienced a miraculous transformation. Others report great joy, while others talk about feeling settled. And some feel or experience little of anything.
Accepting Christ will not fix all your problems, but it will change the way you look at them. Some habits may change overnight, and others may take a lifetime of walking in faith. Your struggles with finances, family, and friends may get better, stay the same, or get worse – but through Christ, your attitude and hopes in those struggles will lead you to eternal joy in Christ.
You see, God’s desire is to fix the largest need in your life – your relationship with Him. Our focus, however, is often on the things of everyday life. This is where we need to properly set our expectations. God does care about our everyday struggles, but His overwhelming desire is for a thriving relationship with us. I can’t promise you that welcoming Jesus into your life will change things – but it will change you in ways you may not expect.
Here’s what you can expect. You will be changed, although you may not realize it at the moment. One day you will look back at the road you traveled with Jesus and marvel at God’s handiwork in your life. You can also expect great joys and great sorrows, although I can’t predict what those will be. You can expect to grow in love, hope, grace, mercy, and compassion. And you can also expect temptations to be judgmental and prideful. And the greatest expectation is that of an eternity with Jesus – an eternity that began the moment you invited Christ into your life.
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