Hopelessness seems to be the natural outcome when we feast continually on the fears, doubts, and darkness of this world. We no longer expect great things, and so we no longer attempt great things either. But life with God reminds us to do both – to expect and attempt greatness.
To be sure, we live in a world that makes it very easy to give up and grow complacent. And there seems little reason to expect our story to be any different when we daily witness the profound brokenness, corruption, and suffering around us.
Of course, we live in a fallen world that no one makes it through unharmed. But there’s a deeper resignation of heart that often takes place as well. More than just contending with the dragons and nits of this life, we’ve come to believe that their story is the truer story – forgetting the many great things God has done and is more than able to still do. As such, we live hopeless and faithless lives, as our love for one another also grows cold.
To expect great things is to keep our souls anchored in hope – confidently anticipating that same God who showed up powerfully for Abraham, Moses, David, and all the saints of old, to still show up and do great things in our generation. And it’s this hope that empowers us to live boldly by faith and attempt great things. We fail in our duty to love whenever we live lives of quiet resignation.
We’ve been charged with bringing more life and goodness into the world. And this requires an unwavering hope and faith to expect great things and attempt great things. And we allow the world to grow a bit darker when we neglect our duty.
In the end, don’t let the darkness of this world cause you to give into despair. Continue to expect and attempt greatness by God’s power at work through you.
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