[lead dropcap="yes"]This weekend we brought the Christmas spirit to our I Love My City toy drive. About 250 servant leaders leaned in to spread Holiday cheer all over Wynwood while handing out over sixteen hundred (1600) unwrapped toys, treat bags with cookies, Christmas cards, and sang their hearts out while caroling around the neighborhood.[/lead]As Sunday came upon us, we were faced with some tough questions to take inventory of. What are some of the dreams that God has planted in your heart? Have they faded as a result of hopelessness? Or, maybe you have stopped dreaming altogether.Pastor Rich Wilkerson Jr. helped us answer those questions as he continued a collection of talks about hope. Hope: having a constant expectation that God is working in our midst even when we cannot see it. When we lose hope, dreams fade and a belief in a better tomorrow becomes hard. Hope is much like an anchor is to a ship, the ship of life; it can bring us back to the top of the water, and we can rest in its stability.
In Zechariah 9:11-12 we find encouragement to return to hope. In fact, Zechariah tells us that we can become prisoners of hope, completely bound by expectation. Unlike being chained to fear, despair, and hopelessness, living with great expectation makes all the difference as we press into uncharted territories. We can expect God to provide His best and be with us through the journey. There's a lot of comfort in knowing that.
What are the benefits of living life with expectation?
Expectation leads to preparation
In order to receive the blessings and promises of God, we must prepare for what God has in store for us. Like a farmer plants a seed and prepares for the harvest to come, we must also prepare and become ready for what we are praying for. Even when a blessing is delayed, aligning our hearts and character with Jesus, in the process of expecting, should continue.
Expectation eliminates distraction
Eliminating distraction is learning to distinguish what belongs in your life, which ultimately enables you to reach your destination. Moving into your future and destiny will require you to remove the distractions that are interfering with the calling that is over your life; distractions simply delay and hinder this process; distractions stifle hope.
Expectation determines direction
Proverbs 4:25-25 tells us about direction and helps us to recognize that where we’re heading is more important than the speed in which we get there. As we live life expectantly, directing our eyes on God and what he has in store for us, we will reach our destination.
"If your prayers are not intimidating to you, they are insulting to God."Rich Wilkerson Jr.
Rest assured that hope has come through Jesus, and we can become prisoners of this hope knowing that He will be faithful to the promise He has spoken to us. Live life with great expectation; preparing for what's to come, eliminating distractions from your life, and walking in the direction God intended for your life.What aspects of "the natural" can you turn over to God and set your mind on "the eternal" this season?
Listen to the Full Message
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