If you have one person in your life who lives up to your expectations more than 75% – 90% of the time you are a blessed person! If that one person is your spouse you are doubly blessed!!

The egotistic appetite of human nature is insatiable. Our carnality (flesh) demands more and gives less as we become more aware of the controlling power of expectations. It reaches a point where all relationships are mentally measured by whether our expectations have been satisfied.

Jesus, gave His all yet could not measure up to the expectations of the people. His miracles astounded but unless one was a direct recipient of the miracle it mattered little. Arguments often ensued, debates raged, the disciples quarreled between themselves or others too much and a general sense of frustration dogged the Lord as He went about doing good.

The point I want to make is that we need to lighten up. None of us are perfect and those close to us know it. If Jesus could not please everyone why do we think we can, and why do we hold others to that high standard?

Granted that Christians ought to do better than most at raising the bar - better personally and better at having a more realistic understanding of expectations. But, the truth is that Christians don't fare much better than everyone else. (That's my 45 years of ministry experience talking!) We miss the mark too often.

What's the solution? Pray for wisdom and take it easy on everyone in your life circle. Remember these two scriptures:

(Luk 6:41) And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

(Luk 6:42) Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.

Does anyone recall the song from years ago called "Logeye?"

I pray the Lord blesses you today.

Warmly, in His love and life,

Roland Scroggins

© 2006