Lowered Expectations

I think we need lowered expectations.

No, I’m not talking about MADtv’s parody of eHarmony commercials…

I’m talking about being OK with failure, rejection, and disappointment.

I’m talking about being willing to risk messing up AND being able to dust ourselves off for another go at it.

I’m talking about NOT expecting success all the time.

When my wife was in high school, her youth pastor would preach, “You can win your school for Jesus.”

She took it literally. She believed her entire school would be saved while she was there (because of her efforts).

She gave it her all. Then she experienced failure, rejection, and disappointment.

She felt like a loser because she didn’t win her school for Jesus.

We laugh about it now.

She was a bright light at Kentridge High School.

She was A.S.B President. She was a leader and a positive influence.

She personally led people to Jesus and brought them to church with her.

She made friends with the “stoners.”

She loved her school.

It’s interesting to me that when Jesus sent his disciples out to preach the Good News, he didn’t promise them 100% success. Actually, he prepared them for failure, rejection, and disappointment. Here’s what he told them: “If you’re not welcomed… don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and move on.” (Luke 9.5 MSG)

Maybe Andrew expected to win the town of Korazin for Jesus.

Perhaps Peter expected to win the entire region of Tyre for Jesus.

But Jesus basically said, “Not everyone is going to receive you or like you or listen to you. You will be rejected. Not all your efforts will be successful. That’s OK. Dust yourself off and keep going. Shrug your shoulders and move on.”

Another time, Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16.33 NIV)

I know the concept of “lowered expectations” isn’t exactly inspirational…

But I think sometimes we need to be reminded:

We all fall down.

We’re not perfect.

We will experience trouble—but we don’t have to be afraid; Jesus overcame it all for us.

We will have failures, rejection, and disappointments along the way.

And that’s OK.

We dust ourselves off and try again.