Well it’s the start of the season again. For some reason, it never fails to catch me by surprise. Every year, the transition is different, and the team is different. I recognize my need to take my own advice from last week’s entry about expectations, in order that I go in with none, allowing God to work.

Yet on this note of expectations, I was challenged in my thoughts yesterday when my coach said: expectations are high. We should expect to succeed, and expect to win. We are going to fall short, but if we set our standard extremely high, where we fall will be high as well.

With out going back on what I said last week, I can agree with both statements. Where the question comes in is what is the definition of expectations, and where does your hope rest? Are those expectations what you put your hope in? Or is your hope in the Lord, while striving to be the best you can be?

Psalm 62:5 says, “Find rest, O my soul, I God alone; my hope comes from him.”

Psalm 147:11 says, “the Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.”

So are we to expect more out of ourselves, or have no expectations so that Jesus can work? The answer is both.

Going into the season, I go in with the expectation that I am going to push myself as hard as I can, work as hard as I can, lead with the best ability that I can. (Colossians 3:23) I expect myself to be accountable and encourage my teammates no matter the cost. However, my expectations of the final outcome are in the hands of God. I put my trust and hope in Him so that He will work through every individual situation.

See the difference?

I also said last week that we can expect God will show up. We can ask God for more of His love and His grace, for His goodness and His mercy, His peace and His passion, His joy and His compassion, and expect Him to give us more.

Isaiah 40:31 says, “…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

In conclusion, the challenge is where do expectations lie. Do they allow God to be in control? Are they expectations that cause you to be like Jesus? Finally, do they bring Him all of the Glory? God calls us to have a high standard set for ourselves, but it is one we can only reach when He works through us.