Day 20
Friday, December 16
Jooe Kim
I have been guilty of having low expectations of God. As someone who has struggled with depression, I’ve become content to be doing “ok.” I’ve lowered my expectations for what to expect from God in this life. I remember praying, “God, I don’t need to feel joy, I just want not to feel depressed. I’m happy to give up joy as long as I don’t feel despair.” Just getting by became good enough.
How small-minded I have been! As I reflected on Isaiah 61, what struck me is how much FULLNESS God wants for our lives. God desires to give his people the most beautiful things imaginable. He doesn’t just “comfort all who mourn” (v. 2). (That would be enough for me, I think). No! He wants to give those who mourn a “beautiful headdress,” “gladness” instead of mourning, “praise” instead of a faint spirit, a “double portion” instead of shame (v. 3, 7). He is not a God of good enough, or getting by. He is full, complete, and perfect. Our hope is in THIS God.
This Advent season, I am praying for God to shake off my low expectations which are based on worldly standards and give me renewed courage to claim his promise of everlasting joy. May we surrender our hearts and minds to God and seek his design for fullness in our life, that he may be glorified!
Jooe lives in Cambridge and enjoys knitting.