I once asked a counselor what the major issues were that brought people to him. Without hesitation, he said, "The root of many problems is broken expectations; if not dealt with, they mature into anger and bitterness". In our best moments, it's easy to expect that we will find ourselves in a good place surrounded by good people who like and affirm us. But life has a way of break those expectations. What then?
Stuck in jail and beset by fellow believers in Rome who didn't like him (Phil. 1:15-16), Paul remained surprisingly upbeat. As he saw it, God had given him a new mission field. While under house arrest, he witnessed to the guards about Christ, which sent the gospel into Caesar's house. And even though those opposing him were preaching the gospel from wrong motives Christ was being preached, so Paul rejoiced (v. 18).
Paul never expected to be in a great place or to be well-liked. His only expectation was that "Christ will be magnified" through him (v. 20). He wasn't disappointed. If our expectation is to make Christ visible to those around us regardless of where we are or who we are with, we will find those expectations met and even exceeded. Christ will be magnified. Make it your only expectation to magnify Christ wherever you are and whoever you are with.
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