The Bullet of Meaning: What Do You Expect from Life?
Let us recap the things we should seek to get, see and feel from an “expectant life” while living our “life expectancy” in His gentle Hands:
We should be stretching to see His wonder – the Living Word – Jesus
We should be skilled in understanding His Mind – the Written Word – Scripture
We should be striving to express His Presence – the Witness Word – Us
When we abandon ourselves to pursue these three Word realities, we can expect the most from life!
Remember that the concept of “Word” in the Greek is a manifestation of an idea. It is the embodying of a concept, the expression of a thought. Jesus was/is the ultimate symbol of the Mind of the Godhead’s Character. It is also seen in Jesus’ title as the Word of God, the incarnation of “I Am.” It is our supreme honor, calling and challenge to become maximum living witnesses to that Word. Again, “As the Father has sent Me, so send I you” (John 17:18, 20:21).
The years of “life expectancy” we might have are nothing when compared to the “daily expectations” of Jesus Christ flooding our lives with His Presence! It is always, always our privilege to come to the Father daily through the Son so that we may live above and beyond the limits of time and earthbound existence through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. The Godhead “functions” in perfect harmony to make our lives full, rewarding, productive, profitable and a peon of tribute and praise to the Father. This happens increasingly as we “put” all of our experiences “in Christ”! Our “word of witness” is that we have truly tasted the Godhead as our Creator-Redeemer-Perfecter! It is that “word of witness” that transforms every Cross Disciple into one who will humbly bear the title of a “Witness Word” for the magnificence of the Lord Jesus.
Our Lord’s high priestly prayer, in John 17, focuses a floodlight of revelation on our most exalted life expectations as desired for us by the Master. Thoughts of life expectancy will fade when compared to “putting” our expectations in the expectations the Savior has for us. In verse 6, Jesus confirms that “He has revealed the Father’s name.” In verse 8, that “He has given the words the Father gave Him to the world of humanity.” From verse 8 to 17, the Lord Jesus lists at least eight things He did for the Father and for others. In verse 18, He makes it clear that we, His Disciples, are to aim at doing the same. Let these amazing words sink deep in our weak and inadequate hearts! “As You, Father, sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.” Incredible! He has chosen to make us into His “Witness Words” of the Father’s glory! What can my heart cry out but “Lord, Help me!”
Here, then, is the essence of it all: If you are serious about being a Cross Disciple your job description is short. Your task is the same as Christ’s. Your life’s purpose as His son or daughter is to reveal the true Father to others! As a new creation in Christ you are now a “sent one!” Stunningly, we are to live as individual incarnations of Jesus to everyone “the Father gives us!” This is too much for the mind of the flesh to comprehend. Yet it is true! Those who earnestly get on with the Jesus business of Cross Discipleship will discover it to be so. The most thrilling and filling experience of life is to reveal Jesus to others! Is it any wonder that our days can be filled with “expectations” as we truly become a Witness Word for the Master?
“But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the LORD …” Micah 7:7
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