I was fully of expectancy when our first son was born. I had expectations when our second son was born.
With our first I had no idea what was going to happen, how it was going to be, or what he would be like. I just knew I needed to be ready—for anything. Because the baby was coming.
I was full of expectancy.
But with our second, well, now I was a pro. I had idea about how he was going to grow and develop. I had experience from the past to guide me into the future. The baby was coming—and I was ready.
I had expectation.
Are we full of expectancy or expectations this Christmas, for God’s work in our lives?
Expectancy and Expectations
Expectancy:
Open to the Unknown
Passionate Desire
Cooperation With
Preparing, not controlling
More like Birthing a new life
Expectations:
Closed to the Unknown
Impatient Demand
Control Over
Planning as controlling
More like Building a mechanical contraption.
Expectancy is an openness without demand, looking toward the future, and offering a joyous energy to the present.
Expectations are often closed around a (silent) demand, looking toward the past, and offering an anxious energy in the present and unproven predictions.
Expectancy creates a joyous vigilance toward hopeful possibilities.
Expectations create an anxious vigilance toward feared outcomes.
Who Are We?
This Christmas, and in life in general, who are we?
Are we more like the wisemen, who journeyed far with expectancy, following a star where ever it might lead, without clear expectations, but open to a surprising work in a foreign land and by an unknown God?
Or are we more like Herod, who had expectations of his land and his God and his kingdom, expectations that were threatened by news of a baby born under his nose—unexpectedly?