What Do You Expect?

Their visions are false and their divinations a lie. They say, “The LORD declares,” when the LORD has not sent them; yet they expect their words to be fulfilled. Ezekiel 13:6

This verse is pertaining to false prophets, but I recognize it is extremely profound just reading it by itself. How often do we see things the way we want to see it, creating a false vision? Have we ever looked into the future conjuring up a life that we want, then manipulate our present to make what we "foresee" be what you want it to be?  That's nothing less than creating and living a lie.  But, we don't only create false visions and live a lie, we try to make ourselves feel better by saying that it is "of the Lord." And since "it is of the Lord," then we expect all that our visions will be fulfilled and our lies will be made true.

Our unrealistic expectations, gives way to living in a manner that is not pleasing to God.  We put our expectations on others and believe that they should be what we want them to be.  But really, they aren't.  Some folks may want to please us and they will try to be what we want them to be, however it can be quite difficult to keep up the facade and at some point the facade comes down and both parties are hurt.  One is angry because he or she feels that the person has changed for the worse.  While the other, breaks under the pressure of being what he or she wasn't meant to be.

Manipulations, lies and unfair expectations lead only to trouble. The fact is we are all broken and we somehow want to feel more together through love and acceptance. Furthermore, we desire the other person to show us love and acceptance through our own lens, which is often shaped by our experiences.  This is unreasonable as each person has their own experiences that have given them a different perspective on life.  

So, what do you expect?  It's time to have a reality check. No one can fit all our expectations. We need to give them a break and we need to give ourselves a break. We miss out on the uniqueness and beauty of others when we try to make them fit into our mold.  Let's just let people be who they were meant to be and support them to be the best person they were created to be. Step back and see them for who they really are.    Sometimes we may not like this realistic look, but then that's when we need to take a good look at ourselves. We may not like the person we are either. The things we hate in others are often what is wrong with us.  Once we know the truth about ourselves then bring it to God.  He will enlighten us and show us the way.

Read more about unrealistic expectations at  http://www.rechargerelationships.com/Expectations_Chapter.pdf

GET REAL!!!

Too many of us hide behind facades that feigns fantasy. We pretend perfection with pretentious yet precarious lies, making us feel important wanting to be impervious. Creating an illusion, we live illusive lives with delusive expectations. It's just all a deception. Through it all the deceiver becomes the deceived, losing self in machinations. 

We lie and do not live by the truth. 1 John 1:6

All these years, I have been living a lie one way or the other.  I lost my identity in college doing what other people thought I should do and then on becoming a Christian, I started saying the things people wanted me to say – the “good” Christian things. But, God can’t work with that. That is the devil’s territory – lies.  God is Truth and until I start living in Truth, I can’t walk the Way or in the Light.

"God can give me as many children as He wants?"

"Oh it doesn't matter when I get married.  Whenever God wants, even if it is 80?"

"I will marry whoever God wants me to marry?"

Seriously, this is dangerous ground - a minefield of lies ready to explode.  However, righteous these may sound, these are not what God wants to hear unless it comes from a truthful heart. Frankly, these have been misguided statements coming from a need of acceptance.

What I need though is to get real. I don't want a lot of children, right now I am not ready for any children.  As, for getting married at 80....helloooo....how is sex at 80? Yes, Christian girls do think about sex. Well at least I do, no lie.  If I do get married I would rather to get married at an age where I can enjoy being intimate with my husband. Probably, I need to check with an 80 year old to see how the sensual senses are at that age before I come to a verdict.

Okay, marrying anyone who God wants me to marry....all I can think of is Hosea. Don't get me wrong, I really want to be in God's will, but I am hoping His will doesn't include a man who will cheat on me or disrespect me. I would go for sense of humor, good looking, has a good job, nice physique and a man who is real and knows who he is in Christ. Yes, I mix shallow with sainthood and I know, I know I need to go find my own identity in Christ.  That's why right now I am not ready for a husband.  I need to get real first.

Getting into a relationship would be a disaster waiting to happen if I don't find out who I truly am. I need to be me, who I was made to be.  First things, first - tell the truth.

"I don't want a husband and children!"

There I said it. Now that's off my chest, let me quickly follow up with this.  Before I became a Christian, I did not like children. I felt they were put on earth to upset me. Mothers would give me their children forcing them into my arms ignoring my resistance, to show me how cute their child is. Inevitably the child would puke, pee or poop while in my arms. The baby would know to wait until firmly placed in my arms to be "free". However, still with a dislike for children, God put me in a position where I was asked to work with children at a summer camp. My class was "Kids gone wild," yet it was my experience with these "energetic" children that made me start loving children.  Now, I relish the thought of working with kids...you see, they are real, no pretense about them.  I like that!!!

This is why I know I should come to God like little children - in truth. That's what He work's with.  Not my "good" Christian girl act. The fact is I am selfish.  I like my space, doing things in my time and having my things. And for all those who think how awful I am, get real!  I know you prefer my lies and would rather ignore the fact they are lies - because that makes you more comfortable. Sorry, I can't go there anymore.  If you are in dis-ease because of what I say and who I really am, I hope you get better. But, I know that God can finally work with me and bring me to the place where He wants me to be, because I am now telling Him the truth, no matter how disturbing it may sound. I have been in darkness for too long, time to walk in the Light.

If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.  1 John 1:6 

Isn't that the truth? Simply, it's time to get real and start living in Truth.
 

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth. John 4:24