Expectation!

"Mom, can I go over to Nancy's Friday night?" "Why? When you asked to go to Nancy's last Friday, you ended up coming home way after curfew and the week before you ended up at Marcia's house where a large group had gathered and we had no idea where you were when we tried to reach you about a change in our plans that night." "You never let me do anything."

"Dad, can I use the car tonight?" "Why? Last Friday you were running around town after we had talked about it and got two tickets for speeding and the week before we saw you lay rubber pulling out of the pizza parlor." "You never let me do what I want."

Would it seem logical to say that parents are more likely to give in to their teen's requests when they have shown a willingness to be responsible and abide by parental wishes? How about with regard to our relationship to God? How does our EXPECTATION of Him match up with His EXPECTATION of us?

In Peter's first letter, he exhorted. . .
"The end of all things is at hand; therefore BE SELF-CONTROLLED AND SOBER-MINDED FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR PRAYERS." ( 1 Peter 4:7 ESV)

I find it interesting that the Greek words from which "self-controlled" and "sober-minded" are translated are "sophroneo" and "nepho", both of which have similar meanings. The word "nepho" indicates being free from the influence of intoxicants" and though it does not mean watchfulness, has been used in association with it. The word "sophroneo" (which is akin to the other word) is rendered "to think soberly" or "to be sober-minded." [source: Vine's Expository Dictionary of N. T. Words] It seems, therefore, that both words urge toward being clear thinking in life. Why are we making the choices we make? Why do we act the way we act? Why do we respond the way we respond? Why have we chosen the lifestyle we live? Etc.

Why did Peter exhort toward being "self-controlled and sober-minded? Because it can IMPACT OUR PRAYERS! If we are not seeking to live in accordance with God's Will, then why should we EXPECT Him to listen to us. If we rebel and turn from Him to do our own thing, why should we EXPECT Him to turn His attention toward us?

If we remain clear thinking in life we will be clear thinking in OUR PRAYERS as well. We will also acknowledge how the relationship with our loving Heavenly Father is to be reflected in the manner in which we live. May we sincerely focus on faithfulness to God's Will as we live in EXPECTATION of our Lord's return or our meeting Him in death; whichever comes first.

Have a great day OF HONEST AND OPEN COMMUNICATION WITH GOD!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Expectations