EXPECTANT ?  

            It’s a hotter than average afternoon and you’re soaked with sweat.   Although pleased with the workout, every muscle in your body aches.   It’s then that the unforgettable phrase pops into your mind.  “Things go better with Coke.”   In the distance you see a Coke machine next to that parking garage.   You trudge toward it with the little bit of energy you have left.   Unraveling the scrunched up dollar bill in your shorts you insert it and wait for your bottle of thirst quenching soda to drop.   Nothing.  You wait five whole seconds longer.  Still nothing.  No one’s looking so you give the machine a fist bump and then a kick.   Then that aggravating still small voice inside reminds you you’re a Christian. 

            How many times have we played out this same scenario where people are concerned?    We have a need and come to that person knowing they can meet the need and they don’t.  If the truth be told, we’d love to hit, kick, and scream at that person in much the same way we’d take out our frustrations on a busted coke machine.  Yet, we hold back and seethe.   Sometimes the machine is unplugged.  Maybe empty?   However, most times it’s broken and completely incapable of giving.   

            So what is our sweaty irritated friend to do?  The temperature outside and inside our friend is getting hotter?   Of course he could look for another Coke machine, but wouldn’t it have been easier to have thought ahead and ended the run at a convenience store?   How many times have we placed what seemed a simple expectation on others only to be disappointed?

            All of a sudden, we can choose to remember we have another helper.  Almost hidden in the background we can remember God.  In the Amplified version of Isaiah 30:18 we read: “The Lord earnestly waits expecting, looking, and longing to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice.  Blessed are all those who earnestly wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship!”

            If one person can’t help you God can help you find others who can meet your need.  Remember in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount he says, “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow.  God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” Matt. 6:34 (NLT).   In Hebrews 4:16 the scripture reminds us that we can come boldly before the throne of our gracious God to find help when we need it the most. 

            The Message Bible provides a beautiful paraphrase of Romans 8:26.  “God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along.  If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter.  He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans.  He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God.  That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.”

            “Lord, please help each of us today to lower our expectations of others and increase our anticipation of Your help.  Amen.”

            (The Coke Machine illustration was first used by Stephen Artherburn, of New Life Ministries.)