Expectations

May 22nd, 2024
by Mikal Duncan

This week Mikal Duncan is our special guest author while Pastor Kevin is away. We hope you enjoy her Words for Wednesday!

Expectations

“Your paycheck is your thanks!” This was the unexpected response I received from my team member after I expressed disappointment in not being acknowledged for my part in our latest project. Wow. I was stunned into silence. What could I say? He was right – harsh, but right. Why should I expect thanks for doing the job I was paid to do?
Have you ever caught yourself harboring resentment because you feel you’re taken for granted, undervalued, overlooked? Do you feel like giving up when you don’t see results or receive thanks for your efforts? Could the real problem be your expectations? Expecting recognition and not getting it creates disappointment because your expectation was not met. Unmet expectations can turn into footholds for our enemy Satan. And we don’t want to give him that opportunity. As author Louie Giglio puts it, “Don’t give the enemy a seat at your table.”
So, what should our expectations be? In Luke 17, Jesus speaks clearly about the expectations of a Christ follower. In this passage, he is teaching his disciples about forgiveness, faith, and obeying God. In verses 7-10, he uses a master-servant analogy to spell out what their (and our) expectations should be.
Jesus asks, “Will he [the Master] thank the servant [us] because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty’.”
Commentaries on Luke 17 describe us as servants or slaves who must do our duty by obeying God. We have only done our duty when we obey God and should consider it a privilege to serve him. Our expectation isn’t to be thanked or rewarded. Although our service is meaningful and has its rewards both on Earth and in Heaven, it should not become a source of self-righteous pride. Our focus isn’t on getting recognition or thanks. Our focus is on obeying God so that he gets the glory.
Make no mistake, maintaining this godly servant’s expectation of obedience takes perseverance, practice, and a lot of help from the Holy Spirit. But, as Paul encourages us in Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
I’m glad my coworker set me straight about expecting recognition that day. His embarrassing rebuke serves as a good reminder even now. In a manner of speaking, my “paycheck” is the blessed assurance that I am loved, forgiven, saved, and made righteous in Christ. And… I didn’t even earn it.
“How deep the Father’s love for us. How vast beyond all measure.
That He should give His only Son, to make a wretch His treasure.
I will not boast in anything. No gifts, no power no wisdom.
But I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer.
But this I know with all my heart, His wounds have paid my ransom.”
[Stuart Townsend, 1995]
These are your Words for Wednesday. God bless you.
Mikal