Banishing Low Expectations

I have been reading a very impacting book called "Do Hard Things" by a couple of young adults (popularly known as teenagers) named Alex and Brett Harris. They are the younger brothers of Joshua Harris.

This particular book has been extremely encouraging to me because they have accomplished more prior to turning 18 than I have in my entire life. They are hitting me where I live so to speak.

Personally, my life has been built on low expectations. Funny enough while growing up in Southern Arkansas I was better than average; but I never had to push myself very hard to stay there until I went to college which was a big wake up call. At this alarm, I reacted by applying myself to get just ahead of the pack again. What a waste! I am just now realizing that I have wasted 38 years just being ahead of the pack when God wants so much more from us.

It is not as if I could repay the debt I owe...I don't have to do that...it is paid in full by the death of Jesus on the cross! I don't want to practically live life in such a way that even hints that I could repay Him for all that He has done...it just won't work! But, the King of the universe; the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings has saved me, yet I live my life as if I am a pauper not the son of a King! How can this be? We need to live our lives for the King in light of who He is!

I plan to write much more about this subject. This is only the beginning of exploring expectations for myself. Joshua Harris wrote a blurb about the book by his brothers...he mentioned that it is never to late to start doing hard things. I agree with him! It is never too late to raise expectations.

I believe we fall into a trap of low expectations. As lay guy in a church, I go to work and I am expected to do pretty well there; but there is a very low expectation of the impact I should have for the kingdom of God. I see this low expectation manifest itself in the my actions as well as the actions of other lay guys around me. It seems that we forget that the apostle Paul, the man who had arguably the greatest impact on the church outside of Jesus Himself, was a lay guy! He was a tent maker. How incredible is that! I wonder how he fit it all in? I am certain that he had very high expectations of himself and others around him.

If you are a lay guy (or gal), I challenge you to join me in working hard to create a lasting impact on the church. A Godly impact that will see the unbelieving believe and the believing mobilized for the cause of Christ. I challenge you to stay focused on the tasks ahead and help those around you to live Godly in this present age!

Brandon