Expectations

Jesus answered, "If I want him[John] to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." John 21:22

Shortly after the Beijing Olympics I was told of a conversation that a colleague had on the telephone with South African swimming legend Penny Heyns. They were talking about the pressure of the Olympics and how other people’s expectations and the fear of letting them down can add to the pressure.

Stuart described the conversation in the following way.

Then Penny said: “As Christians we need to remember that we perform for an audience of one and not be weighed down by other people's expectations. I know that is not easy”. So simple yet so profound.

As we walk off the field, step out of the pool, can we honestly say we have given it our all and sought to give glory to God? If so, we have been successful. In sport – as in all walks of life – it is easy to be caught up in what other people think of us.

In the verse at the top Jesus reminds Peter that his energy should be concentrated on following Jesus, not on what happens to John. The challenge to concentrate on what Jesus wants us to do, regardless of what others may think or what others may do, is a timely reminder to many of us.