WE HAD TO LEARN OURSELVES AND,
FURTHERMORE, WE HAD TO TEACH THE DESPAIRING MEN,
THAT IT DID NOT REALLY MATTER WHAT WE EXPECTED FROM LIFE,
BUT RATHER WHAT LIFE EXPECTED FROM US.
Viktor E. Frankl

I have many expectations. Usually, before I get to my expected goal or destination, I have already envisioned certain outcomes for certain occurrences, according to the picture in my mind.  I have formed presumptions.  I have made calculations.  I have it all planned out ahead of time—what it is going to look like, what is going to happen, what I am going to say, and what I am going to do.  Then, I expect my expectations to be fulfilled.

TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART
AND LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING;
IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM,
AND HE WILL MAKE YOUR PATHS STRAIGHT
(Proverbs 3:5-6).

To live according to your expectations is just another way to lean on your own understanding.  Doesn’t it feel so much more convenient to envision an outcome for an occurrence than to trust the Lord with all our heart for His outcome?  Is it not so much easier to form our own presumptions and to make our own calculations than to acknowledge God in these ways?  Is it not so much faster to plan our own future than to allow God to make our paths straight?

“YOUR KINGDOM COME, YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN
(Matthew 6:10).

Beautiful Child, I, your Perfect Father, have already made permanent plans in Heaven for you. I have already made the necessary calculations.  I have already planned the outcome of every detail of your life. I am looking for someone who is willing to lay down his expectations…for Mine.  Whenever a picture forms in your head, I want you to submit that picture to Me and say, “Perfect Father, may Your Purpose be done in my life, not the purpose I am living for through this picture in my mind.”  Whenever a plan forms in your mind, I want you to lay that plan at My feet and say, “Perfect Father, may You do with me as You have already planned in Heaven.  Only Your Expectations are valid.”

What picture is painted in your head about your future? What will it take for you to give that picture to God and allow Him to substitute it for His own picture in your mind?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, instead of holding on to the pictures I have of my purpose and my future, I surrender these pictures in my mind, to You. Erase them, O Lord, and paint a new picture in my mind—a picture of the plans You have already made in Heaven for me. Your Will be done in my life, as it has been planned in Heaven.