We all have expectations. When our expectations are not met, we are often disillusioned or disappointed or both.Sometimes our expectations get us into trouble with others. Their expectations may not be the same as ours. Friends and fellow Christians may not acknowledge or even know our expectations. On the other hand, we may get into disagreements or have problems because of the expectations of others. We may fail, knowingly or unknowingly, to meet their expectations. Too often we judge or are judged accordingly. We need to be careful with expectations.

Many Christians expect and often assume all Christians to be politically conservative. They also have the idea that we Christians can change our society morally and spiritually through a politically conservative (usually Republican) agenda. Tony Carnes is a senior news writer for "Christianity Today" who worked for the Moral Majority from 1980 through 1985. He brings an interesting perspective to this expectation. He recently wrote the following:
“The deeper I got into Scripture on what God expects of sinful, unredeemed men and women, the more I realized that there is no trickle-down morality. The church should make disciples and not change culture. Paul didn't say, 'Change the culture.'
"There is no reason that the unregenerate mind should be sympathetic to what we want. So, it becomes a political power game. Each side tries to beat the other side. The truth is not advanced. Believers fear the anti-Christ; pagans fear the Christians.
"If the church is doing its job, it automatically affects society. Government and political power are limited."

Another area of misguided expectations is the area of expectations about the church. People outside the church, as well as many on the inside, have unrealistic ideas about what a church should be like. And often these expectations are then used to criticize church members or as an excuse for not attending church. Eugene Peterson is a Biblical scholar who authored "The Message," a new modern translation of the Bible. In his introduction to the book of James, he wrote the following:
"When Christian believers gather in churches, everything that can go wrong sooner or later does. Outsiders, on observing this, conclude that there is nothing to the religion business except, perhaps, business—-and dishonest business at that. Insiders see it differently. Just as a hospital collects the sick under one roof and labels them as such, the church collects sinners. Many of the people outside the hospital are every bit as sick as the ones inside, but their illnesses are either undiagnosed or disguised. It's similar with sinners outside the church."

A third area of questionable expectations is that of our own expectations of Jesus and the Christian life. We sometimes expect Jesus to solve all our problems. We seem to think that our lives will be smooth sailing. We don't really believe that, but we often act or react that way when things get rough. We expect our Lord to fix anything that is wrong or is troubling us. And then we are perplexed when He fails to meet our expectation. Michael Card is a Christian composer and recording artist. He once, in a radio interview, had this to say:
"We have this image of Jesus, just like Peter, that is not a biblical image - (as) the ultimate fixer. If I have Him, He'll take care of everything in my life. I won't have any problems. Great hopes, great expectations, and then we feel like Jesus lets us down. He genuinely fails everyone who gets close to Him in the Gospels. He fails to meet their expectations, every one."

What are the lessons for you and me? One for each example:
Society is not our present battle. Dealing with oneself is the greatest fight for each believer. We should concentrate on helping each other in this battle rather than expending our energy trying to change society.

Christian churches are not, as a rule, model communities of good behavior. Instead they should be places where human misbehavior is brought out in the open, faced, and dealt with. We need to work hard so our church does this.

We need to be careful about what we expect of Jesus. We really don't want a predictable Lord. Being a Christian should be an adventure. Our lesson is to learn total surrender even when we are not sure what is going on. We never let go of our Lord.

Expectations not met? Maybe the problem is with your expectations. Put them in proper perspective.

Our fascination with angels in modern culture is well documented. Angels are the in item. Look around and you will notice a popular television series, an avalanche of books, a host of television specials, several major news features, and a hot market in home decorations and jewelry all built around angels. Yet when I talk about the angel within, I'm not talking about some kind of metaphysical or mystical union with an unseen angel living inside us. Nor am I referring to the caricature of a good angel on one shoulder trying to convince us to do what is right, while a bad angel sits on the other shoulder trying to convince us to do what is wrong.

The word "angel" simply means messenger from or for God. From a biblical or religious perspective, the term angel is used to identify a heavenly messenger. However, if we look back over our past, we will notice that a number of familiar people have functioned as a messenger from God for us: in other words, they were angels to us! Whether this person was a Christian friend who just "happened" to call the moment we needed encouragement, or a mentor who challenged us to grow, or someone who cared enough for us to share with us the story of Jesus, most of us have had these kinds of "angels" bless our lives. We need to realize that God calls on each of us to fill this role.

Each one of us is blessed to be in a certain cluster of relationships. Our neighborhood, our church family, the teams for whom our children compete, the schools we attend, the jobs we hold, and the families into which we were born are all part of this incredible and unique cluster. This cluster of relationships is where the angel within us is called to serve. We are God's messenger of grace, mercy, encouragement, hope, promise, correction, motivation, comfort, and good news. In fact, I believe that most of us would make a far greater impact on the world for Christ if we spent more time taking seriously the "angel within us" than we did worrying about the angels around us!

Does this sound too "pie in the sky" or too idealistic? Listen to a few things the New Testament says to us about being God's messengers, his angels, to those around us!
* "We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me." (Colossians 1:28-29)
* "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." (Colossians 4:5-6)
* "You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9)
* "In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." (1 Peter 3:15)
* "Saul was also trying to destroy the church, going from house to house, dragging out men and women and putting them in jail. And wherever they were scattered, they told people the Good News." (Acts 8:3-4)

Our journey through life is unique. The people with whom we share that journey are equally unique. Our Heavenly Father has placed us in this cluster of relationships and family so that we can make an impact on it with his love and grace. So let's take seriously these connections God has given us. Let's open our hearts and set the angel within us free to share the grace, mercy, and good news of Jesus. Let's be God's messengers, his angels, among the people with whom we share life. Let's recognize we need to set free the angel within and let the world around us be touched by God!

The prophet Elijah is one of the more unique prophets from the Old Testament. He was a rugged man that performed great works for God as he served him faithfully. He brought plentiful supplies to a widow and her son, even bringing her son back from death through much prayer to God. He challenged a pagan culture that had infiltrated the nation of Israel and defeated the pagan god and its prophets with God's strength. He defied a disobedient king and his evil wife in order to bring Israel back to God and away from the worship of pagan idols. But there is an account of a situation in his life that shows a more human side of Elijah. It is found in 1st Kings 19:1-18. It’s an encouraging reminder to me that no matter how overwhelming or hopeless a situation may seem, God will see His end to it. He is ultimately in control and His will, will be done.

As a brief background to this story, the king of Israel, Ahab, had angered God with his permitting of rampant idol worship throughout the nation. In fact,1st Kings 16:33 states, “Ahab did more to provoke the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger than did all the kings of Israel before him.” His wife, Jezebel, only fueled this problem with her influence in spreading the pagan religion of Baal throughout the country. God sent Elijah to challenge and end this pagan worship on Mount Carmel. The pagan prophets (roughly 850 of them) faced off against Elijah in a contest to see which God would send fire to burn up an offering to their respective god. 1st Kings 18 details how Elijah, through the power of God, defeats the prophets of Baal and their god in this contest. The familiar story ends with God proving his authenticity, yet again, to the nation of Israel and the pagan prophets being slaughtered.

Upon hearing the news of these events, Jezebel orders that Elijah be hunted down and killed in first two verses of Chapter 19. He flees and seeks refuge in the desert. It is here that Elijah prays for death. I found this to be an interesting action by such a powerful prophet. In essence, he flees from death at the behest of Jezebel, only to pray for it from God. It appears that Elijah is discouraged about the state of Israel at this point in time. However, God has other plans for Elijah as his physical needs are tended to by angels. Interestingly, the angel tending to him comments in verse 7, “Get up and eat for the journey is too much for you.” The angel is alluding to the self-imposed journey Elijah will be taking to Mount Horeb; however, that statement also fits his current situation as he feels overwhelmed with what he is facing. Elijah then travels for 40 days and 40 nights to Mount Horeb. When he arrives, God asks in verse 9, “What are you doing here Elijah?” The question is intriguing as it indicates that Elijah’s business, which is God’s business, is elsewhere, not at Mount Horeb. In verse 11, Elijah opens up to God. He is so discouraged by Israel’s continued rejection of God and His laws, the tearing down of His altars and the execution of His prophets, that he feels he is alone in this struggle, one which may end soon in death.

This attitude was abnormal for the great prophet. In the preceding chapters to 19 and those that follow, Elijah usually exhibited a strong faith and leaned on God for strength and direction. However, it appears at this point in time, he had lost the motivation to continue on with his work, which was really God’s work. Potentially, the threat of death after living through a time when so many of God’s prophets had been executed, had pushed him to the point of feeling that all his work and service had been fruitless. But God has a response for Elijah. He commands Elijah to stand on the mountain in His presence. Elijah then experiences a powerful wind, an earthquake, a great fire, and a gentle whisper. Verse 13 describes how after the gentle whisper, Elijah “pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.” The Matthew Henry commentary points out that historically the covering of one’s face is a sign of reverence and humility. It also notes that, “Elijah hid his face in token of shame for having been such a coward as to flee from his duty when he had such a God of power to stand by him in it.” Ultimately he realizes that this is not a struggle he faces alone.

I can identify with Elijah’s feeling of discouragement, as I would imagine many of us can. To serve God is to take part in a work that may or may not have earthly rewards but will definitely have heavenly rewards. I believe that it is human nature to desire to see some type of “fruit” or evidence that the work being done is making a difference in the lives of others. To not see that evidence can leave us feeling discouraged and somewhat alone in our Christian walk. Elijah had proved to thousands that God was in fact the one true God of Israel, yet they continued to turn from him. After that miraculous event, you would think he’d have an attitude of defiance in the face of death and have full faith that God would overrule the situation. However, his actions indicated a conflicted heart that questioned whether saving Israel was even worth fighting for anymore. Like Elijah, we’re human, we’re emotional, and at our weak points, discouragement can set in. It can become a prevalent emotion in our lives if we are not careful. But we have the promises of God to lean on during these times.

Deut 31:6, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Whatever the circumstance, God is always with us and he has blessed us with a spiritual family. Our brothers and sisters in Christ can and will support us as we serve God in all that we do. Their prayers will strengthen us. We should always be drawing strength from God, through daily prayer and study, regardless of how discouraging the situation seems. God’s desire for us is to always turn to him and he will supply our every need:
Psalm 28:7, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.”
Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
2nd Corinthians 12:10, “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

We are encouraged to look to God at all times for strength, even when the situation seems out of reach and hopeless. For Elijah, God renewed him and in the end, revealed how he would handle the unfaithful in Israel. He even directed Elijah to anoint his successor, Elisha. Elijah was reminded that his God would stand beside him, especially during a turbulent time in Israel’s history. I find this account a positive reminder that no matter how discouraged we get with a circumstance in life or in the service of God, that He is always with us. God’s power is vast and we should rely on His strength and the spiritual family he has blessed us with to get us through the experience.

As children of God we are blessed to realize that we have a Heavenly Father that we can wholly trust and lean upon. We are recipients in so many ways of His love and care. I have been thinking of late about what our Heavenly Father wishes from us. What is it that gives each parent the greatest joy as they watch the unfolding life of their children? They desire to see their child grow. A parent rejoices so much to see each new step of growth as the infant progresses through childhood. The parent is actively involved in encouraging and instructing at each step in the hope that their son or daughter will be equipped with the physical, mental and moral qualities that will lead to a well lived life.

Our Heavenly Father also has grand hopes for us. What must we do to fulfill our potential, as His children? What are the characteristics we need in order to grow?

A child must first have the capability to grow. So our Heavenly Father has given us of his spirit that we may have the ability to grow as his children and into the image of Christ.

A child must be attentive to the parent’s instruction. We must be “paying attention” to our Heavenly Father speaking with his often through prayer and reading his word to know what his will is.

A child must have a humble and teachable disposition. Many times a child has his or her own ideas, but our progress as children of God depends on our willingness to humbly take instruction from Him knowing that he is so much wiser than ourselves.

A child must be responsive to instruction. Not only must we know the path or instruction that our Father has for us but we must act upon it. We need to put into practice the desires of our Heavenly Father. Just as a child’s first efforts are stumbling so we often feel our efforts come up short but it is in the doing that we integrate the principals that God is teaching us into our character.

What a blessing to realize the intimate care of your Heavenly Father and the promise of his care as we mature as His children. May we look always to Him.

KEEP ME, LORD
Keep thou my way, O Lord;
Myself I cannot guide;
Nor dare I trust my faltering steps
One moment from thy side.

I cannot live aright,
Save as I’m close to thee;
My heart would fail without thine aid;
Choose thou my way for me.

For every joy of faith,
And every high design-
For all of good my soul can know,
The glory, Lord, be thine.

Naked Into The Night
Mark 14:50-52

The disciples had all fled the Master. They were confused, frightened, and tired. It seemed their whole world was falling apart and, from their perspective, things were out of control.

Judas had brought officers and a band of men, from the chief priests and Pharisees. He brought them to Gethsemane for thirty miserable silver coins. Judas betrayed his Master for filthy lucre, with a kiss, and that mob was ready to lead Jesus to his death.

This was too much for Peter to bear. He would not stand by, watch, and do nothing. Peter drew a sword and cut off the right ear of a servant named Malcus. But our Lord would have none of that. No, Jesus healed the damage and rebuked Peter.

Peter was dumbfounded and befuddled, as the mob was determined to fulfill its mission. Peter had tried to take the offense and Jesus stopped him cold. The other disciples gawked at what was happening and when Peter flew the coop, they all flew the coop!

All but one, who was a certain young man wearing nothing but a linen cloth. You see, it was very late at night and this young disciple was wearing what we would call pajamas. Either the young man awoke and followed Jesus and the twelve to Gethsemane, or perhaps he followed the mob. In any event, the young disciple was there and, when all the other disciples fled, he stayed. Jesus had one friend in that mob, a certain young man wearing nothing but a linen nightshirt.

The heart of this young disciple was pounding as he stood alone, watching the proceedings. In his mind, he thought, “Perhaps no one will notice me.” No one was pointing a finger at him; maybe he could remain in the mob unnoticed and unmolested. This was the fervent hope which fueled the courage of the young man.

Later, I feel sure, as the young disciple matured, he thought back to that time when he stood alone in the crowd hoping to remain inconspicuous. Just another face in the crowd was all he wanted to be. Just a spectator: not a participant in what was happening. But it was not to be.

Someone in that crowd recognized that young man as a disciple of Jesus, and pointed the finger at him. They laid hold on the young disciple and the moment of truth was at hand.

Looking back at his youth, the older and matured disciple of Jesus Christ wished he could do it over again. How he wished he had stayed with his Lord and Savior, no matter what the cost to himself! Now he was older and wiser, and to be of service to the Master was this disciple’s greatest desire. This disiple had learned from what had happened. I believe that certain young man grew to be the author of the book we’re quoting: the Gospel of Mark.

Who else would know of the young disciple that stayed with Jesus as the others fled, then was fingered and grabbed, escaping only because they grabbed his linen nightshirt which tore, enabling him to run away naked into the night? Obviously, running naked through the streets of Jerusalem will leave a lasting memory in the participant.

What do you do with that memory? Mark could have ignored it, but to ignore is not to learn. Later in life, I believe Mark often thought of that indiscretion, and learned from it. Therefore, as he wrote of the betrayal of Jesus, he wanted us to learn from that embarrassing incident. Mark wanted us to learn that running away naked into the night, literally or figuratively, is just plain immature and ignorant, especially if you’re running away from Jesus!