Expectations

I was reading today in the book of Acts chapter 26, and some of Paul's words…well maybe not his words so much as his attitude, caused a little heart check in me.

Paul is pleading his case before King Agrippa, and towards the end (vs.27) Paul kind of confronts Agrippa with his own knowledge and background. Agrippa interrupts him and says, "Do you think you can make me a Christian so quickly?"

Paul doesn't really answer the question point blank, but when you read it you realize that Paul's answer is really "yes!" He DOES expect Agrippa to accept Christ, and he is praying (and really is expecting) everyone in the audience there to become a Christ-follower.

Paul really expected people to convert right there on the spot. I'm praying for faith like that. I wonder how many times I walk away from encounters and conversations that begin to edge towards things of faith, and the truth is, I didn't really expect anything to happen. Why not? The power of Christ is life, and hope, and transformational.

I want my preaching and teaching and my life to be like this. I'm reordering my expectations and I'm expecting that EVERY TIME I share the Good News that people are going cross the line of faith and accept Christ. Not because of me, that would simply be tragic. But because of the power of the Cross and the Good News of salvation.