What comes to mind when you hear the word “expectation?” The last year and the COVID pandemic probably influenced all of us in regards to our expectations. Who would have expected the last year to look like it has as people all over the world respond to this virus? We have had to be flexible and adjust our expectations for this time period.

As we think about expectation, let’s look at a conversation Jesus had with a blind beggar in Mark 10:46-52. As Jesus is walking with His disciples, a beggar calls out to Him. Jesus stops and talks to the beggar and asks him this question, “What do you want Me to do for you?” Why did Jesus ask this question? He knew what the man wanted. He is Jesus so He knows everything. But in asking the question, He was giving the man the chance to respond. He was giving him the opportunity to voice his request. When he first called out to Jesus, he referred to Him as the “Son of David” and asked for mercy. He had big expectations of Jesus and what He could do. Based on his belief in those expectations, he asked Jesus to give him his sight. 

If Jesus were to ask you the same question today of “What do you want Me to do for you” what would you say? What are your expectations of Him? God’s character never changes, so we can have the same Biblically guided expectations of Him no matter what is going on in our world. We can expect Him to be faithful, to forgive, to never stop loving, to never be overwhelmed, to give His peace, and to be our guide and our comforter. 

Ephesians 3:20-21 says, “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Let us have great hope and expectation because God is not shaken and He is mighty to work in ways bigger and better than we could plan or imagine.