Well, now, we are ending the first month of the new year.
Here is a question to consider on the eve of the first day of the second day of 2025: What are your expectations for this year, which marks twenty-five years since Y-2-K? As we entered this century, there was a looming expectation that our world would drop into chaos at the turn of the day. Little did we know that there was much ado about nothing. This should remind us that, as Christians, we must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).
National Expectations
While believers, by and large, entered this first month of 2025 with measured optimism for our nation with President Trump’s inauguration at hand, our optimism must be limited and horizontal. The best we can hope for is a modicum of restraint on leftist drift during his term of office, significant debt reduction, border sanity, and a vibrant economy. These expectations are reasonable. But as believers, we should pray daily that his leadership can accomplish these expectations.
Personal Expectations
But what about your expectations (goals)? Have you considered the reflections of December 2024? Have you done your annual review? Oh, you say I don’t do annual reviews. Well, my friend, you should. Paul reminds us that we will all give an accounting, whether at the Bema Seat for believers or the Great White Throne judgment for unbelievers. If Jesus will evaluate our lives/works, we should have expectations and regular evaluations for ourselves along the way in preparation for that day. But even on a strictly horizontal plane, what business enterprise does not do an annual review and plan the expectations for the coming year from that review? But this is my life, you respond. I am not a business. Oh, my friend, how wrong you are. God has distributed gifts to you. He has given you the Great Commission. He keeps records. Jesus said, to whom much is given, much will be required. If you are in His Kingdom, you have been given much. Just look up the parable of the talents for a refresher course.
Jesus and the Apostles’ Modeling
Paul had expectations that were not always met. For example, several times, he expected to go to one location, and the Spirit of God redirected him. Someone has said, “If I aim for nothing, I will hit nothing.” Jesus left us with the Great Commission to make (evangelize), mark (baptize), and mature (teach them to observe) disciples (Matt 28:18-20). He modeled living by goals and expectations. Remember, He said, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will”(John 6:38). Reading the Acts of the Apostles leaves no doubt that the individual Apostles hadgoals and expectations as they spread out to achieve His commission.
Combining Expectations and Goals
While there is an overlap between expectations and goals, there are also differences.
It is best to see them as a combination. Goals are measurable steps that accomplish well-defined expectations. Together, they produce a Christian life that is well-pleasing to Christ and the individual.
Prayerfully planning goals and expectations generates motivation and sets a standard for accountability. Planning gives us a target (expectations), while incrementally executing the fulfillment of goals enables us to arrive at the destination (expectations/target).
Living without goals and expectations with an eternal perspective leads to confusion, succumbing to temptations, and underperformance as a Kingdom citizen.
Expectations and Goals
I expect to publish three books, teach at least five seminary courses, and participate in two conferences in 2025. I expect to have my model railroad running again by late spring. I expect to visit my grandkids and great-grandkids this spring. I expect to go out west with my wife in the fall. All of these will require incremental goals and the exercise of discipline to achieve theseexpectations.
May the Lord be pleased to grant me and you the grace to see us move forward goal by goal to reach our expectations or redirect our efforts in accordance with His will.