Have you ever felt an almost tangible anticipation in the air? Maybe when you were a child on Christmas Eve or the night before you started your dream job. It’s a thrilling and overwhelming mix of excitement and impatience.

‍

As a church, we’re experiencing this kind of anticipation because VOUSCon 2024 weekend is officially here! We’ve spent the last year waiting, praying, and preparing for the weekend that’s now in front of us. 

‍

The Power of Expectation

Paul speaks about the power of expectation in Romans 8:18-27. It reads, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.”

‍

Expectation means to look forward with anticipation. In this scripture, Paul reminds us that our current struggles are nothing compared to the glory that awaits us – our present suffering is no match for our future glory. Interestingly, Paul writes that creation is waiting with “eager expectation.”

‍

Psalm 5:3 reads, “...in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” There’s power in our expectation. We wait with faith, and faith pleases God. Expectation shifts the atmosphere and sets the stage for miracles to take place. God doesn’t want to just change one moment or one day, He wants to change our lives.

‍

Expect miracles.

Expect breakthroughs.

Expect freedom.

Expect glory.

Expect to encounter heaven!

‍

The Frustration of Expectation

Every ounce of expectation is accompanied by a level of frustration. We’re anticipating that which hasn’t happened yet; it’s seeing the future while living in reality. 

‍

If you’ve ever taken the tube in London, you’ve likely seen the signs that say “Mind the Gap.” Just as we need to be mindful of the gap between the train and the platform, we must be aware of the gap between our current reality and our future hopes. Learning to navigate and close the gap can be frustrating.

‍

Frustration doesn't have to be a pitfall – it’s actually a gift. It means we have a God-given ability to believe for more. Much of what we see today was born out of a wrestle with frustration. It’s often an indicator of what we are called to do. 

‍

We were born for more. The church is called to lift people higher, to see more and to be more. Instead of dwelling on our past, we can fix our focus forward, raising our expectation and learning to manage the frustration that comes with it. 

‍

The Revelation of Expectation

Living with Godly expectation requires us to manage frustration, but in due time, it will give way to revelation. 

‍

Revelation comes from the root word “reveal.” God wants to reveal to us what we are hoping for in Him. Our ability to manage frustration directly correlates to our capacity to receive revelation. Hoping feels like waiting. If we can’t manage it, we won’t receive it. Receiving from God comes from waiting on God. It can be painful, it can be challenging, but it’s always worth it. 

‍

As we embark on this weekend of VOUSCon 2024, we’re embracing the anticipation with an understanding heart, managing our frustrations with active faith, and looking forward to the revelations that God will unfold before us.