“John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?”” Matthew 11:2-3.
We can sense and identify with John’s frustration in the scripture above. John had proven his ability to preach and prepare the hearts of the people for the Messiah. He had labored hard and attracted many people with his prophetic words. Why have a capable worker in jail when there is so much yet to be done? There are times when our expectations of what God can do or should do in a given situation are unmet.
Our workplace provides many opportunities to see God working in and through our lives as well as our coworkers. Why do we see good people suffering, others mistreated, and some getting far better than they deserve? Why do young people with so much life ahead pass away? Why do marriages fail and families fall apart? How could God allow a sudden decline in demand for my company’s products? Ours is a limited perspective with limited knowledge. In Proverbs 20:24 we find: “The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?” We need to be comforted because with the Lord the good will always outweigh the bad and with Him we will prevail. Jesus can handle our questions just as He did John’s. With love and respect he reminds John’s followers and all who will listen of the great things that are being done. After they leave to go and tell John, Jesus testifies of the significant role that John has fulfilled in God’s kingdom. The defeat that John felt because he was in jail was not what Jesus saw. Christ gave praise to a man who had fulfilled his mission. John had lived by faith and obeyed God. He was about to receive his eternal reward. Later Peter gives this advice: “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation.” (1 Peter 1:3) Because of what God has done through Christ, today is a new opportunity to live with great expectation. Like John we might be disappointed in our circumstances but the gospel still reigns and it is miraculously changing hearts and lives today. With confidence we can faithfully pray, encourage, serve, and unconditionally love our coworkers. God will use our obedience and faith for His glory and purpose.
Your workplace challenge is to realize that our expectations do not always align with God’s purpose and plans. Make today count as you praise God for His mercy and for His glory.