HOW DO WE LIVE THIS ONE LIFE WELL? by Christie Smith

"All these people were still living by faith when they died. 

They did not receive the things promised; 

they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, 

admitting that they were foreigners and strangers 

on earth."

Hebrews 11:13 

How do we do this right...live this one life well? I guess the answer to that question depends on your expectations of this life? So, what are your expectations? Of yourself, of others? 

We waste so much energy and joy being disappointed...in ourselves, in others. Isn't this Satan's greatest weapon? He knows that unmet expectations lead to disappointment which leads to frustration which leads to a choice...a choice to continue to be disappointed and frustrated (in a situation or person) or choose to see it through Heaven's eyes. Maybe the choice is to change your expectations. Maybe instead of expecting people to change we should expect from them just what this world has to offer...broken, longing, incomplete people. How can we expect anything more of them? 

If we know this is not our promised land, why do we get so frustrated when we aren't getting what is promised in God's Word? Because we are listening to Satan who tells us what we deserve.
We've grown accustomed to letting this world dictate our desires, and in the process we've developed a warped sense of who we are. We think we deserve more, and that is true...just not in this lifetime. We think too highly of ourselves, like we're above others...royalty if you will...and that is true, just not true yet. Our promises will be fulfilled when we get to Heaven and we will be sons and daughters of the King when this life is over. 

If we look at the life of Christ, we see a humble servant who expected nothing from this world. He didn't have a nice home, cars and clothes. Who are we to expect we deserve those things? "I work hard, I deserve it!" I can't remember exactly where Jesus said that in the Bible, so when you find it let me know. And the verse where Jesus says of Judas, "Selling The Lord of lords for thirty pieces of silver...just who does he think he is?!?!" ...yeah, I can't recall that one either. 

We've got to stop viewing our life and others through the eyes of this world and start filtering them through God's eyes. Use His definition of love (1 Corinthians 13) and see how you're measuring up before we choose to complain about or judge others. We have to face the reality that this is not our home and expecting the promises of Heaven and the joy and happiness that waits for us there is not only frustrating, but crazy!