Hope, Expect
The other day, we ventured out to the beehive a little earlier than normal. As we approached, something wasn’t right.
The forager bees were crowding outside the entrance waiting to get in. And not just a few - a lot more bees than usual.
We quickly considered the possibilities of what might be happening:
Was our hive now growing exponentially as new bees were being born?
Were there too many bees for the entrance because of the entrance reducer?
Or was something terribly wrong in the hive?
We finally decided it would be prudent to take a quick peek inside.
Because there were so many bees, we thought it best to pull on our bee suits and light the smoker; it took a few minutes to gather our supplies.
When we approached the hive . . . well, everything was back to normal. A few bees flew in and out, nothing appeared out of place. We just shook our heads - newbies!
Do you ever feel this way about your life?
You’re rolling along, trusting that God is with you, when suddenly your circumstances change and everything feels uncertain. You rack your brain trying to work out the problem, beginning with plausible causes, but ending with potential disaster.
I have a habit of doing this. In the words of Mel Brooks, “Hope for the best, expect the worst.”
But I don’t think this is the way God wants me to approach life.
Trust says I’m certain that He’s actively present in my life, in all of its complexities.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
Faith says I believe that He will walk with me through life’s changes and challenges.
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20 NIV
Surrender says I have confidence that He is and will forever take care of me, holding me in His hand.
Because the Lord is my Shepherd,
I have everything I need!
Psalm 23:1 TLB
Love says I know that I am tenderly embraced in His heart, even and perhaps most especially when I don’t feel it.
“As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you.”
John 15:9 CSV
Maybe it’s time to expect the best from God, in spite of how things look. When we trust our loving God, He will not fail us. He promises to stand by us in the midst of our complex, confusing lives.
Could we adopt an attitude of hope and expectancy?
Hope - because hope never disappoints. (Romans 5:5)
Expectancy - because God is compassionate and gracious and abounding in love. (Psalm 103:8)
Trust that He’s working all things out for our good, in spite of the uncertainty we feel.
Thank you for another lesson, little bees…
Today is a GOOD day,
~ Natalie