No one likes being disappointed. And often we sell ourselves short, play it safe, or otherwise hedge our bets to minimize our risks of being let down. But this prevents us from maturing in faith and living with a bold hope.
To be sure, it’s possible we’re just being grateful for whatever comes our way in life. And certainly we should be thankful for even small returns. But many times we use this to justify playing small – avoiding the vulnerability of hoping for more.
For instance, we might settle for a job that simply pays the bills rather than pursue the deep desires and calling of our heart. Or we might accept a merely functional marriage, because at least it’s stable, rather than fight to build a more passionate and intimate connection with each other. Likewise, we might consider our unique gifts and abilities just as a private hobby rather than risk putting it out in the world to face possible criticism or failure.
Of course, we should be grateful for a job that pays the bills, a stable marriage, the private joy of our hobbies, and the like. But we’re playing it safe and no longer living by faith when we also don’t allow ourselves to dare to hope for more.
Hope is not arrogance. It’s a confident expectation in what God can do. And it’s this bold hope that gives us vigor and conviction to accomplish the work God has given us.
To be fair, we might still have to wrestle through the hurt of unmet expectations, as hope does not eliminate risk. But dulling our hope only ensures mediocrity. We miss the mark due to our lack of courage and not hoping for more.
In the end, be grateful for every small blessing you receive. But don’t hide your lack of faith behind this gratitude. Live with a bold hope – trusting God to accomplish more than you could even imagine.
