Peter says we can live with “great expectation” (1 Peter 1:3, 13). Are you?
Expectations matter. Great change is usually pursued by people who believe change is possible. Martin Luther King Jr. expected a future in which people could live with greater freedom and equality. That expectation shaped everything he did.
Guess what? Your expectations shape everything you do too.
My expectations aren’t always so great. When Monday arrives, I expect it to be miserable. By the time Friday rolls around, I’m not anticipating a meaningful weekend; I’m just expecting to unwind.
Our expectations are often shaped by our limitations. Intelligence, health, age, energy, experiences, and disappointments all play a role. We look at what we have, measure what seems possible, and adjust our expectations accordingly.
But what would happen if we allowed God to shape our expectations instead?
Moses expected God to lead His people toward the Promised Land because God had promised it. David expected an enduring kingdom because God had made a covenant with him. Neither expectation rested on personal strength. Both rested on the character and promises of God.
What did Jesus expect?
He expected rejection, suffering, and a cross. More importantly, He expected resurrection. He also expected a handful of imperfect disciples to carry His message into the world. He looked at something as small as a mustard seed and expected a kingdom to grow from it.
Do you think Jesus has expectations for you?
That is Peter’s invitation. Great expectation doesn’t mean expecting an easy Monday, a trouble-free life, or every personal ambition to succeed. It means expecting God to remain faithful—especially when life is difficult.
So, what do you expect this week?
Are your expectations being shaped by your present limitations or by the promises of God?
Are you living with great expectation?