Expectations can surprise us. We don’t always know they are there until we realize we are disappointed. This can happen when we serve – we help someone only to realize we expected to get a thank you or a favor in return. This can even happen when we try to show love or kindness to people who are difficult. When our motivation is to change them or their response, we’re serving for the wrong reasons.
In Luke 6:35-36, Jesus says:
“Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.”
The Message paraphrase says it this way,
“Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst.”
We are invited to reflect God’s unconditional love and leave the results to him.
Questions to consider:
When has God given me grace that I didn’t deserve?
When was a time that I was shown kindness by someone when I didn’t deserve it?
An action step to take:
Find someone today and ask them, “How can I help you today?”
Do something for them and decide in advance that you do not expect anything in return.