Not What I Expected

 YouTube Channel Video Devo

https://youtu.be/r5l3X12zWtE?si=qyFE0HZTBtdxmwHZ

“Not What I Expected”

John 14:1- NIV, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.”

John 16:33- NIV, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

 

Just recently when I was out on a run, I got to thinking about how it’s been 2 years since I started back up running again after not having run since I was in Jr. High.  In that time, I have learned a lot about running, especially from others who have been part of my encouraging running community.  The experience I’ve had getting back at it is not what I expected at all.  I really didn’t think I would stick with it and come to enjoy it again.  I thought I would drop off and give it up, but I haven’t and I’m glad I kept going.  It’s been a good learning experience with good days and bad days of running. 

 

I’ve learned to pace myself, push myself, control my breathing, and learn how I can improve on my timing and my distance.  The experience the past 2 years is not at all what I expected, but it’s been great.

 

As I consider my experience with running, I’m also looking at other areas of life where situations were not what I expected.

 

Life after college is not at all what I expected.  I studied to be in full time vocational ministry for years to come, but God obviously had other plans and I am happily serving in a volunteer capacity.

 

Life in marriage after 22 years is not what I expected.  Today, I am so very grateful for my relationship with my wife and all we have been through together.  As with any marriage, there’s been lots of ups and downs.  However, with God at the center, there has been nothing we can’t get through with Him leading us.

 

Being a parent is not what I expected.  It’s been one of the greatest learning experiences of my life.  I have 2 daughters and I never would have imagined what it takes to raise kids.  God has been so good and I am very proud of them and their faith.

 

Jesus spent much time with His disciples trying to get them to understand what was going to happen and what would come upon them.  He tried so hard to simplify it, but there were so many times they just did not get it and could not comprehend what He was telling them.  It was emotionally painful for Him so often when He saw them bickering with each other and focusing on who is greatest among them.  He tried to warn them about what was to come for them and Himself, but they just couldn’t understand. 

 

Jesus knows that, so often, life is never truly what we expected.  We have our vision of what might come, but life rarely happens as we think it will.  This teaches us to trust Him in leading us when life doesn’t make sense and trusting that He knows what He’s doing as He leads us.  Let us continue to trust God, especially in times of life where things don’t make any sense and are totally different from what we expected.