I loved the theme for one of the CFN Women’s Conference where I spoke. It was entitled , “Great Expectations in Uncertain Times.”
When I was invited to come and I was told the theme, I knew immediately what to speak on—Hope.
Hope fuels expectations. Hope always sees beyond any storm, challenge or uncertain times. When life hits you at eye level, hope places you on your tippy-toes to see beyond. Romans 5:5 says that hope never disappoints. Colossians 1:27 reminds us that “Jesus in us is the hope of glory.” King David asked, “Why so downcast oh my soul? Put your hope in God.” Yet we often are down, feeling hopeless and clothed in despair. What could be the problem?
Disappointment is the enemy of hope. The hurts of yesterday and the fear of tomorrow often leave us disappointed with today. However, when one letter is changed, it becomes “His-appointment.” This is your finest hour. It is in the middle of uncertainty that hope and faith work together to see expectations become reality. The scriptures declare, “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Perhaps the problem is our focus. What exactly do you see?
My expectations in uncertain times are best described in two words—surprise and creativity. I believe that God is going to open new doors of surprise. His strategic positioning will continue, but the way in which He does it will be creative, resulting in smiles and affirmation that He alone is the living God. Divine appointments, open doors, and new ideas will bring about His purposes and plan. Something great is beginning to mount and there is no summit too high or impossible with our God.
I recently told my son that zero is God’s favorite number. He questioned me, so I went on to explain that it is in the zeros of our lives that God’s intervention creates something out of nothing. We serve a God who has no limits—no limits to His resources, creativity, riches and bringing good out of bad—all of which have only begun to be tapped by faith. The reach of faith can bring substance in uncertain times.
Another reason zero is God’s favorite number is because He can add them to what is in our hand. If you have $100, His reach places more zeros behind the $100 as a surprise. He also knows how to point us to surprise discounts and favorable transactions. The Father delights in adding and multiplying. He is the God of abundance and NO earthly economy can alter that fact.
What expectations do you have for your life?
When you choose to look past the horizon… the sky is the limit!