What are your expectations for your life? Do you expect to be a servant? Or do you expect to succeed at everything you do? Are you willing to listen? Are you willing to learn? Are you willing to follow direction?
When we are children, we have big dreams. Some of us dreamt of being astronauts. Some dreamt of being a big-time sports star. Some dreamt of being a singer, or movie star, or a corporate executive, or perhaps even a politician.
As we grow up, our dreams change. Eventually, our dreams fade, and we turn to what is possible, what we are reasonably sure we can achieve. We may still have dreams, but they are less about seeking glory or our ten minutes of fame, and more about providing for our families and setting our children up for success.
But do our plans, desires, and dreams include serving God? He seeks for us to serve Him. He desires to give us so much more than we dream, though not what we dream. He is willing to show us His will, His plans, and our place in them. He will lift us up on wings like eagles (Isaiah 40:31), if we will only trust in Him.
Simeon trusted God. It had been revealed to him that he would see the Messiah before he died. When he saw Mary and Joseph bringing the eight-day old Jesus into the temple to perform the Jewish ritual of dedication, he saw God’s promise come to fruition. At that point, Simeon was ready to go home to be with God. He experienced the true joy that God promises each one of us.
I pray we all seek to serve God. I pray we seek to understand His plan for our lives. I pray each one of us will be ready to go home, knowing we have served as best we can, when God calls. Serve God. Be a servant. Live out God’s promises. Live the abundant life. See God’s plan for you.
Luke 2:29-32
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
Marty Pressey 