Peace begins when I trust the character, and integrity of Jesus more than I fear the opinions of this world.

Few things shake me more than that of having someone question my integrity.  Yet, all of my righteous indignation, humiliation, and anger at being wrongly questioned, or accused by another pales in comparison to what I do every day to Jesus!  Though I may feel justified in my anger, because “this time” I am innocent, “this time” I did nothing wrong . . . there was NEVER a “this time” for Jesus.  Jesus never: made a mistake, a bad judgement, let the ball drop on what he said he would do, speak a careless word, or misjudge someone else’s intentions.  Even in His anger, He never sinned (Ephesians 4:26, Hebrews 4:15).  Jesus, never did anything to hurt anyone!  Yet, how many times have I questioned His integrity, or blamed Him for my pain when His answer didn’t match my expectations?  Therein lies the problem . . . My Expectations!

Expectations are usually tied to what I (hope to be, want to be, or need to be “right and true” based on MY experience), and then searching for the evidence to support it.  Knowing is tied to God’s absolute “truth” regardless of the evidence or lack thereof, because I believe Him.  

We live in a world screaming for our own significance, and rights.  “Black lives matter”, “Blue lives matter”, “LGBQT lives matter”, and the list continues to grow. The truth is “ALL lives matter to God”; however, if I’m expecting a sin broken world to affirm my significance, and uphold my rights, then I will be disappointed every time no matter how hard I try. That’s the problem with expectations.  If you’re looking for your expectations of significance, meaning, peace, and happiness to be met in all the wrong places (career, education, popularity, wealth, family, ministry, drugs, alcohol, etc.) you will continually be disappointed.  Whereas, if you know the truth “I am God’s masterpiece” ~ Eph. 2:10, “While I was still a sinner, Christ died for me” ~ Romans 5:8, “For it was You who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I will praise You because I have been fearfully and wonderfully made” ~ Psalm 139:13-14, you don’t have to have evidence, or affirmation of it being true from anyone else, because they didn’t make it true, Jesus did! This is why God’s Word says “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” ~ John 8:32. When I know the Truth, it sets me free from the constant (need of, fear of, or search for) the opinions, expectations, and accusations of the world! To Expect this world to point me to Significance, Peace, Truth, and Happiness is like pointing to a broken clock, and saying “See it’s been right two times today, so it must be correct”!

Heavenly Father forgive me when I question Your character, because my expectations were not met.  Like the child’s book The Emperor’s New Clothes, no matter how many people tell me “You have the right, that looks good, or this is the way, etc.” when I believe in the world’s opinion more than Your Truth, it will leave me empty, and exposed as to my need for You!  You told me what to expect in this world: John 16:33 “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart. I have overcome the world.” John 15:18-19 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.  If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” Jesus you are the Way, the Truth, and the Light. I want to follow Your ways, live in Your truth, and walk in your light, so that my life will be a sign post pointing to You! Let my only expectation be Eternity with You!