Politics includes anticipating what is going to happen. You can watch the wheels spinning each week during “Question Time” in the British House of Commons. The body language screams out for anyone who observes; anticipation, maneuvering, quick points and long positions. Every member of the Commons is a player – active, passive, or held in reserve. I don’t think the workplace is any different. People read things into words spoken, actions that are taken, and even ones that are not. Every nuance has a reason, every work a motive, and ever day plays out as a game.
In this context I have come to find that everything in motion carries with it my expectations. I expect that Cherry will react in a certain way. When she does I read into the decision a motive, bias, and history. My conclusions are more often wrong than right, yet I rarely take the time to examine them. I know what I expect, how could I be wrong?
My assumptions do not stop with the family, they continue right on and through co-workers, people I have just met, and clear to God. It is as if I believe, or at least think, that I already know what is going to happen.
John the Revelator was in vision. During the first three chapters he appears to have been lulled into thinking that he has some clue of what God was going to say next. His honest writing records the surprise!
“Then I looked, and, oh!—a door open into Heaven.” (Revelation 4.1)
I wonder if I really am as open as John’s writing. Do I anticipate or wait? Do I prejudge or experience the present? Do I listen or keep on babbling?
Please don’t answer; I already know the answer for myself! Everyday is an opportunity to experience unconditional acceptance, unlimited amount of love, awe inspiring quantities of creativity and recreation. Today as I wake, I anticipate nothing. I expect that God will do his thing, so I pray I will experience it all! Fully and completely receiving and then freely giving.
