Exceeding Expectations

Last Sunday I preached about heaven. I love preaching about heaven but I always feel like any description I give falls so far short of what it will actually be like. And I must admit, I have many questions. What exactly will it be like? What will we be doing? Will the bonds we've formed here remain intact?  Heaven, in so many ways is incomprehensible to me but there is one thing I am confident of – it will far exceed any of my expectations.

I find it maddening when my expectations fall short of reality. Someone recommends their favorite restaurant and I find it so-so. Someone raves about a movie and I find myself dozing throughout. There have been times when someone would say to me, "You've gotta see this," or "You have to go there," and when I do I wonder what all the hype was all about. Unmet expectations are frustrating.

But that will not be the case for heaven. No matter what you or I think, it will be better.

I've had that experience at least a couple of times in my life, when I saw something that exceeded my expectations. One was when I first visited the Grand Canyon. I had seen pictures and videos. I had read the impressive statistics on its width and depth. I had heard talk about the beautiful earthy tones. I was excited to visit this “big hole in the ground”, but I still vividly remember standing at the rim, placing my eyes on it and standing there in an awe that far exceeded my expectations. All the statistics and all the pictures were accurate, but they were inadequate.

Another experience was visiting Niagara Falls. Same thing. I had seen pictures and videos. I had read of the impressive volume of water, the height of the drop, and the thunderous sound. But actually seeing it firsthand - feeling the mist on my face and hearing the earth-shaking roar - surpassed any depiction or description. All the descriptions were accurate but once again they were inadequate.

These natural wonders taught me that some realities can only be known through direct experience. No amount of preparation can substitute for standing in the presence of true majesty.

And I believe the same will be true of heaven. We do have some impressive descriptions. Streets of gold. Gates of pearl. Unparalleled worship led by hosts of angels. No tears or sadness. And I believe them all to be accurate but I also believe them all to be inadequate.

Like the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls, heaven will far exceed my expectations, and even more!

I think it's good to think about heaven. It keeps me from falling too in love with this world. It gives me hope and joy especially in times when this life falls so far short of my expectations. Most importantly, it motivates me toward holiness, knowing that while heaven's invitation extends to all, its experience will not be universal.

While I love preaching about heaven, I suspect my greater need is to think about it more regularly—not just on Sundays when it's my professional duty, but daily as a personal discipline. I want heaven to be more than a sermon topic; I want it to be the constant backdrop against which I view everything else.

May heaven be always in my heart and ever on my mind.

 

The Soil of the Heart: A Reflection on Growth and Spiritual Life

Last spring, I undertook a simple lawn project that would teach me an unexpected lesson about spiritual growth. I planted grass seeds in two different areas of my yard. For the first patch, I prepared the ground by adding nutrient-rich topsoil to the naturally lower terrain. For the second, I simply loosened the existing earth and scattered the seeds.

Over the following weeks, I maintained both areas with equal care—watering regularly and watching expectantly for signs of new life. The results, however, were strikingly different. The first section, enriched with additional soil, soon displayed vibrant green shoots pushing through the earth. Week after week, this area flourished with thick, healthy grass. The second patch lagged significantly behind, eventually producing sparse, weaker blades that never quite matched the vitality of their counterparts.

The difference, I realized, lay not in my efforts but in the foundation I had provided. The topsoil's promised nutrients—which I had initially dismissed as marketing claims—had genuinely enhanced the growing conditions. Superior soil had yielded superior results.

This gardening experience brought to mind one of Christ's most enduring parables about seeds and soil found in Matthew 13. Jesus described how the same seeds of divine truth produce vastly different outcomes depending on the condition of the hearts where they're planted. His teachings about abundant life, peace, joy, and love take root and flourish in some lives while struggling to survive in others.

The key factor isn't the quality of the seed—God's truth remains constant and powerful. Rather, it's the receptivity and preparedness of our hearts that determines the harvest. Some believers seem to overflow with the fruits of faith—demonstrating remarkable patience, genuine kindness, unshakeable hope, and deep contentment. Others, though equally sincere in their faith, appear to struggle with anxiety, bitterness, or spiritual stagnation.

What creates this difference? How can we prepare the soil of our hearts to receive the fullness of what God offers?

Cultivating Heart Soil

Just as my lawn benefited from enriched topsoil, our spiritual lives require intentional preparation and ongoing cultivation. Consider these essential nutrients for the soul:

Humility serves as the foundation of all spiritual growth. A humble heart remains teachable, welcoming instruction and correction rather than defensively rejecting them. When we approach life with the understanding that we have much to learn, we position ourselves to receive wisdom from Scripture, from mature believers, and even from difficult circumstances. Pride creates hard, impenetrable soil where truth cannot take root. Humility creates soft, receptive ground where God's word can penetrate deeply.

Confession acts as a cleansing agent, removing the debris that blocks healthy growth. We all stumble and make mistakes—this is part of the human condition. The question isn't whether we'll fail, but how we'll respond to our failures. Denial and rationalization create toxic conditions that poison spiritual growth. Honest confession, however, clears away the obstacles and creates space for grace to work. When we acknowledge our shortcomings before God and others, we experience the liberation of forgiveness and the opportunity for genuine transformation.

Confidence in our identity as God's beloved children provides the stability necessary for sustained growth. This isn't self-confidence based on our own abilities or achievements, but rather a deep assurance rooted in God's love and purposes for our lives. Understanding that we are created in His image, indwelt by His Spirit, and called to reflect His character gives us the courage to pursue growth and the patience to endure the process. This confidence prevents us from being overwhelmed by temporary setbacks or discouraged by slow progress.

The Divine Gardener at Work

Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of this analogy is recognizing that we're not gardening alone. God Himself serves as the master gardener, working in and through us to produce the fruits of His kingdom. Even the most barren heart can become a flourishing garden under His care.

The question for each of us remains: What kind of soil are we providing for the seeds of God's truth? Are we cultivating hearts that are humble, honest, and confident in His love? Are we creating conditions where His abundant life can take root and flourish?

The difference between spiritual abundance and spiritual struggle often comes down to this fundamental question of soil preparation. With intentional cultivation and God's faithful tending, every heart can become fertile ground for His transforming work.