EXPECTATIONS: THE LEAFLETS OF YOUR FAITH

Miracles are the deliberate acts of God in the life of believers. However, the manifestation of miracles in a believer’s life is only consequent on the level of his expectation. In my coming book, 'No Longer Poor', I wrote about enthusiasm in relation to your passion which of course forms a sense of purpose for you in life. Invariably, it is enthusiasm that can make you to be on the lookout for something great, for a magic! Those times when it seemed like all your efforts are not yielding some sort of result you are expecting, your enthusiasm is what will keep you fresh and positive until your expectations are delivered.

Someone wrote that “we act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us really happy is something to be enthusiastic about”. Whoever the writer was, I can tell was trying to let us know that enthusiasm is what we require to attain comfort and luxury, and not the other way round.

"If you do not expect that the efforts you are putting into your work or business will yield results then it will not."

Many people go about their daily activities without any expectations. This is very wrong. It is not an arrogance to expect that you will be successful or that you will be rich. You should expect to be rich. The bible says ‘the talent of a man maketh way for him’, however, you must have heard it several times that talents alone is not enough. Or what’s the essence of a talent that is put to use but in lack of expectations?

Expectations are leaflets of your faith. I so much love the illustration that Jesus made where he said ‘I am the vine and ye are the branches’. The same relationship between the vine and the branches exist between your faith and expectations. Many people will look at a branch of a tree as just an appendage of it but it is something more than that. When you consider a branch, you find out that there are the leaves, flowers and fruits. These three among other functions provide photosynthesis, food, coloration, detoxification, reproduction and seeds. So when Jesus referred to believers as a branch, he gave us many functions from which we can be a part of him and his glory. Expectations are part of the branch of faith; it is from expectations that you can take delivery of the works of your faith!

"Expectations are the branches of your faith"

By understanding, I do not go to church services without any particular expectation from God. Unfortunately, many people go to church just for the sake of it. Like some sort of ritual or something. That’s why many times they go to church and nothing really can be seen for a sign in their lives. Trust me, miracles happen every day! Only that the few people with expectations always take it. There must be a yearning for you to get that miracle that you have been hoping for.

Yes, you may have been working very hard to get that life changing contract or you are trying very hard to get into a college. Some persons may even be trying very hard to pass their papers in college. Regardless of the efforts you have been putting, which is very essential, you need to have a mental picture of the end result. You must expect to have that break you have been looking for. It will shock you to know that many people work tirelessly and also pray very much but they lack expectations that can empower their faith.

I read about the testimony of a woman who had been barren of a child for many years. Her faith was empowered after she contacted insights from the word of God. Just like in the account of Hannah, the mother of the prophet, Samuel. After Eli blessed her, the Bible said she left on her way and her countenance was no longer sore. That’s what expectation does to you. It keeps you sharp and happy. It doesn’t make you have a sullen countenance no matter what is happening around you. This barren woman upon catching a revelation from the understanding of the scriptures stood up immediately and headed to a mother care shop. There she bought children wears in pairs, male and female. After all, ‘male and female created he (GOD) them’. When her husband came home, she showed him the clothes and asked him which of them he would prefer that their first child wears upon birth. Of course, it’s sounded crazy. They didn’t have a child until 3 years later but this couple kept buying at least a pair of children wears every month. In the third year, she got pregnant and she had a twin. Because she was expectant, she was preparing for her miracle and she got it. Success requires adequate preparation and effort but being expectant fuels you to prepare for your results.

I had a friend back then, Solomon who desired to travel abroad. Like many young Nigerians, he was tired about the situation of things. So one month after we had been paid our salaries decided to get an international passport. At the time, he didn’t have an idea how travelling out of the country will become a reality for him. Shortly after that there was a change of vendor at MTNN and he was part of call centre agents that were moved to the new vendors, ISONBPO. The conditions at ISONBPO were not any suitable for him and he was determined to leave. Things miraculously worked out and before the expiration of his international passport, he went to America for his second degree.

"If you ever set out in your mind to do anything, you should never forget to friend a positive expectation over it."