What Do We Expect?
I don't usually watch football. In fact I just had to check google to find out if Super Bowl
was one word or two. But since Super Bowl is only once a year I decided to watch the
last five minutes with my husband. I didn't expect to see one of the greatest plays in history.
Everyone's heard about it. Patriot rookie, Malcolm Butler, swooped in and intercepted the
ball from the SeaHawks with only 20 seconds left in the game. His incredible play won his
team the victory. But his explanation for the play was even more amazing.
"I had a vision that I was going to make a big play and it came true," Malcolm said after
the win. "I'm just blessed." In a later interview, Butler said that he prayed for their team, as
he often does, and gave God the credit for his abilities.
There's something more important here than who won the Super Bowl, though thousands
of fans may disagree. Malcolm Butler had a vision of making a big play and paid attention
so he didn't miss his chance.
As Christians we get into ruts where we don't expect much from God or ourselves. During
those times, everyday life feels like a treadmill in a stuffy gym. No blue skies or fresh air,
nothing miraculous or unexpected. And so we stop paying attention. Imagine how many
opportunities we don't even notice. What can we do to catch more of them?
It starts with communication. Prayer means talking with our heavenly Father, the One who
moved heaven and earth to call us His children. It's about talking to Him but also listening.
Most often He speaks to us through His Word.
The next step is expectation. Like Butler, we need to believe in our God-given ability to
do what He calls us to do no matter how unlikely. Yet, we don't want to limit God to our
ideas. We don't know the best outcome because we can't see the future. Better to pray
with expectancy, rather than specific expectations, and trust God for the right answer.
We also need concentration. Treadmill living makes it hard to pay attention, or stay in the
game. The things we do over and over encourage an autopilot mentality. That's a
dangerous way to live if we want to catch the incredible opportunities God has for us.
Football is optional in life's big picture. In fact some of us won't watch another game until
next year's Super Bowl. But when it comes to the new things God wants to do in and
through us, I don't want to miss a single play, do you?
was one word or two. But since Super Bowl is only once a year I decided to watch the
last five minutes with my husband. I didn't expect to see one of the greatest plays in history.
Everyone's heard about it. Patriot rookie, Malcolm Butler, swooped in and intercepted the
ball from the SeaHawks with only 20 seconds left in the game. His incredible play won his
team the victory. But his explanation for the play was even more amazing.
"I had a vision that I was going to make a big play and it came true," Malcolm said after
the win. "I'm just blessed." In a later interview, Butler said that he prayed for their team, as
he often does, and gave God the credit for his abilities.
There's something more important here than who won the Super Bowl, though thousands
of fans may disagree. Malcolm Butler had a vision of making a big play and paid attention
so he didn't miss his chance.
As Christians we get into ruts where we don't expect much from God or ourselves. During
those times, everyday life feels like a treadmill in a stuffy gym. No blue skies or fresh air,
nothing miraculous or unexpected. And so we stop paying attention. Imagine how many
opportunities we don't even notice. What can we do to catch more of them?
It starts with communication. Prayer means talking with our heavenly Father, the One who
moved heaven and earth to call us His children. It's about talking to Him but also listening.
Most often He speaks to us through His Word.
The next step is expectation. Like Butler, we need to believe in our God-given ability to
do what He calls us to do no matter how unlikely. Yet, we don't want to limit God to our
ideas. We don't know the best outcome because we can't see the future. Better to pray
with expectancy, rather than specific expectations, and trust God for the right answer.
We also need concentration. Treadmill living makes it hard to pay attention, or stay in the
game. The things we do over and over encourage an autopilot mentality. That's a
dangerous way to live if we want to catch the incredible opportunities God has for us.
"Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you
not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert" (Isaiah 43:19)
next year's Super Bowl. But when it comes to the new things God wants to do in and
through us, I don't want to miss a single play, do you?
