Striving for perfection with expectations? The problem with expectations is that they tell God what to do. God is surprising. That's part of what the cross and resurrection of Jesus show us. So I'm not sure why you see that a lack of expectation of God necessarily means one cannot strive for perfection.
It just occurred to me that perhaps you are bringing this post on temptation together with the quote in a previous post (http://classic-theology-new.blogspot.com/2010/06/life-is-gift-quote.html)about receiving our life as a gift. The expectations post was about letting God be God. You didn't seem to approve of the quote about receiving life as it is as a gift. However, receiving our lives as a gift does not mean we can't work within that gift to bring it to fulfillment. But to rid ourselves of expectations of how we expect God should act is important I think.
Also see today's post which links to a piece by Laurence Freeman on desire. Desire that has been purified through death and resurrection is relieved of its egoism, which is what our expectations of God are part of.
A pretty minimal expectation I would have thought! In fact, so minimal that it is not anything like the way I used it in the post, and that people would ordinarily use it.
But you are about no expectations Warren ?
ReplyDeleteYes, that's right. But we are called to desire more.
ReplyDeleteBut according to you we should be happy with what we already have!
ReplyDeleteThere needs to be a constant striving for perfection.
Without expectation. Idolatry and expectations are closely related.
ReplyDeleteI now under stand why people are leaving the church in droves.
ReplyDeleteIf striving to be the very best person that I can be is Idolatry then so be it!
Striving for perfection with expectations? The problem with expectations is that they tell God what to do. God is surprising. That's part of what the cross and resurrection of Jesus show us. So I'm not sure why you see that a lack of expectation of God necessarily means one cannot strive for perfection.
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ReplyDeleteIt just occurred to me that perhaps you are bringing this post on temptation together with the quote in a previous post (http://classic-theology-new.blogspot.com/2010/06/life-is-gift-quote.html)about receiving our life as a gift. The expectations post was about letting God be God. You didn't seem to approve of the quote about receiving life as it is as a gift. However, receiving our lives as a gift does not mean we can't work within that gift to bring it to fulfillment. But to rid ourselves of expectations of how we expect God should act is important I think.
ReplyDeleteAlso see today's post which links to a piece by Laurence Freeman on desire. Desire that has been purified through death and resurrection is relieved of its egoism, which is what our expectations of God are part of.
I do not expect God to do anything but to just Be!
ReplyDeleteA pretty minimal expectation I would have thought! In fact, so minimal that it is not anything like the way I used it in the post, and that people would ordinarily use it.
ReplyDeleteI expect far far more from myself than I do from God/Oneness or what ever.
ReplyDeleteMy understanding I suspect is totally different from yours.