17 May 2006

Expectations

"Climate is what we expect, weather is what we get." Mark Twain

What if climate equals weather?

"'Blessed is the man who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed' was the ninth beatitude." Alexander Pope

The Eight Beatitudes present in Matthew run as follows.
01) Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Verse 3)
02) Blessed are the meek: for they shall posses the land. (Verse 4)
03) Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted. (Verse 5)
04) Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. (Verse 6)
05) Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (Verse 7)
06) Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God. (Verse 8)
07) Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Verse 9)
08) Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Verse 10)

"Faith, Hope, Love" are known as "The Theological Virtues".

Faith is the beginning of human salvation for: "... without faith it is impossible to please Him, for anyone who approaches God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek him." (Hebrews 11:6). From this faith in God, must then come hope, the confident hope that God will carry out His promises to us. "For in hope we were saved." (Romans 8:24) and then again in Galatians 5:5, "For through the Spirit, by faith, we await the hope of righteousness." Lastly, from this hope built upon faith springs love, for "... hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us." (Romans 5:5). It is from this love that Christ spoke about when He said, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:37-39).

If people do not have expectations, then there is no hope. Without hope, nothing is needed.

"Both expectations and memories are more than mere images founded on previous experience." Samuel Alexander

Once needs are met, expectations are fulfilled. However, expectations of a better result increase if previous experience was positive. This is the escalation of expectations.

No comments: