Great Expectations?

I am going to come to you in a dense cloud. -Exodus 19:9

Naturally, we expect great things. Don't we?

If skies are sunny, then the day will be great. (How convenient!)

If we follow this path, then it will lead to a great position. (How clever!)

If we stick to the plan, the outcomes will be ideal. (How clear!)

And we expect great things from ourselves and others.

If we can make everyone happy, then all is well.

If I do everything perfectly, I will feel like a great person.

If others care about my feelings, then life will be great.

But "great expectations" can be problematic.

These "If, then" formulas have inherent limits leading to frustration.

Clouds at the beach? Our day is ruined!

A path with unpredictable twists and uncomfortable turns? We're getting nowhere!

People who are supposed to be in my corner? Nobody understands me, and nobody cares!

The nerve!

It's easy to feel good - that God is there - when things are going our way.

But God is...where, when nothing is going according to our plan?

If we could just move those grey clouds out of the way.

Because clouds obscure: we can't see what's coming.

Yet cloudy times are part of every journey, including Recovery Road.

A prolonged cloud of illness or anxiety makes self-care more challenging.

A looming cloud of depression or isolation seems to block access to skills and supports.

Or scattered clouds of insecurity and self-doubt tease, "Is recovery possible? Is it worth the effort? Am I?"

But the problem is not the clouds.

It's not the rain, the pain or the illness.

Nor is it the diagnosis or insecurity.

The problem lies within our "If, then" formula.

The issue is within the common denominator:

Me. We. Us.

The problem is the fixation on control.

When we expect our great plans to give ourselves a great life,

we have little tolerance when schedules, flow sheets and people do not line up,

do not add up, or

do not shape up.

Maybe the answer is simply to lower our expectations.

That way we don't have to face inconvenience. Or pain. Or hurt feelings.

Recently, we had some expectations during a visit to the beach.

It was the "perfect" opportunity for great relaxation.

The short trip was to end in a final day of sunning and swimming in the ocean.

Except.

The clouds were collecting, darkening the skies.

Umbrellas folded as people scrambled to gather items and beeline toward the hotel.

Rain sprinkles began softly, then intensified.

Beach patrol and a few experienced natives remained on the beach, knowing it would pass,

but suddenly we saw a mass exit of all the out-of-town beachgoers.

Exodus.

Huddled beneath towels under a partial cabana,

my husband and I tucked our legs in and leaned together for warmth as the temperature dropped.

We were staying.

At the ocean's edge, we had front row seats:

Stage-right, ink spread across the sky as a shimmering wet curtain inched closer.

An electric lightshow pulsed and throbbed, giving view to random spots in the increasing blackness.

Moving toward the horizon's center, the curtain of rain expanded, moving directly toward us.

Rain drops became sheets of liquid power:

first staccatos, then pounding a percussion duet with the ocean waves.

Sand around us absorbed the pellets of sound from a million tiny mallets.

The symphony's unpredictable crescendos and decrescendos held us captive:

a stunned audience of two.

Gradually, the symphony hushed. Light expanded and warming rays returned.

The seagulls emerged to squawk and poke at the sand.

We sat in silence for a moment, witnesses to glory.

What God does is more important than our activity.

- As Bread That Is Broken, Peter G. van Breemen, S.J.

Do clouds of uncertainty cause us to escape to seek cover or comfort,

Or do we wait in expectation to see God in that moment?

Do clouds of the unknown make us take matters into our own hands,

Or do we trust that our lives are in the caring hands of our Creator?

Clouds are scattered throughout the Old Testament.

Clouds reminded people of God's presence.

I am going to come to you in a dense cloud. -Exodus 19:9

Clouds reassured people of God's faithfulness.

And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud,

to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light;

to go by day and night. Exodus 13:21,22

Clouds represented God's glory.

When Moses went upon the mountain, the cloud covered it,

and the glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai. Exodus 15-16

Maybe clouds are necessary.

Because our limited minds think we can see or know or understand the Unlimited God.

Yet, God remains shrouded in mystery.

We can't handle the Truth.

But maybe we can let the Truth handle us.

Instead of lowering our expectations, we can raise them.

Because great expectations elevate God instead of ourselves.

Great expectations exist when we are expecting God:

God's Presence.

God's Faithfulness.

God's Glory.

Great expectations showcase not our greatness but God's goodness.

Not the absence of pain but the presence of God.

Not a problem-free life but the promise of God's faithfulness.

Not getting our way but getting to see God's glory.

Great expectations make it possible for God's revelations:

He is presently loving us.

He is faithfully loving us.

He is gloriously loving us.

Let's keep our head in the clouds, this living with the expectancy of Goodness.

With a sacred expectation, I look for God in all the circumstances of my day.

-A.W. Tozer