Boundless Daily: Expecting Goodness

Welcome to your Boundless Daily micro-study. It is Monday, March 9, and as we step into a new week, we want to start with a shift in perspective.

We often wake up with a "to-do" list that feels more like a "to-survive" list. We look at the week ahead and see hurdles, deadlines, and potential stressors. But what if we started the day expecting something else? What if we started by expecting goodness?

At Boundless Online Church, we help people meet Jesus and grow in faith online. Today, we are diving into the heart of hope for the future. Whether you are a late-shift worker catching this before sleep, a caregiver sitting in a quiet hallway, or someone seeking a spark of faith in a difficult season, this is for you.

What is Hope, Really?

In our casual conversations, "hope" usually sounds like wishful thinking. We hope it doesn't rain. We hope our favorite team wins. We hope the coffee is still hot.

But in the context of our faith and the 16 Fundamental Truths we hold dear, hope is something much sturdier. It is a confident expectation.

When we talk about expecting goodness, we aren’t talking about a "vending machine" theology where we put in a prayer and get a prize. We are talking about the character of God. The Assemblies of God doctrine reminds us that God is inherently good and that His plan for humanity involves restoration and life.

Expecting goodness means believing that because God is in the future, the future is a place where His grace will meet us.

A serene landscape showing a path leading toward a sunrise over distant mountains, 16:9 landscape.

When Plans Fail

We’ve all been there. You have a plan for your career, your family, or your health, and then life takes a sharp turn. The research we’ve looked at lately reminds us that maintaining faith when circumstances deviate from our plans is one of the greatest challenges of the Christian walk.

In our study "Not According to Plan," we see that God’s goodness is often found in the detours. We tend to think that if things are going "wrong," God must be absent. But the truth is, God’s goodness is relational. It is personal and particular.

He isn't just "good" in a general sense; He is good to you.

When our plans fail, it forces us to look at our mortality. That might sound heavy, but it’s actually a motivation for faithful living. Realizing that our time here is temporary helps us prioritize an eternal perspective over temporary frustrations. It shifts our focus from "Why is this happening?" to "Lord, how are You working in this?"

Contentment Through Christ

The Apostle Paul is a massive example of this. He wrote about learning the secret of being content in every situation: whether he had plenty or was facing literal hunger.

Paul’s contentment wasn't a personality trait. It was a result of his reliance on the strength of Jesus. This aligns with our belief in the Spirit-empowered life. We believe that the Holy Spirit gives us the strength to endure and the eyes to see goodness when the world sees only lack.

For those of you working the late shift or living in areas where following Jesus is a daily struggle, contentment isn't about liking your circumstances. It’s about trusting the One who walks through those circumstances with you.

A warm, minimalist interior of a home with a single candle lit on a wooden table, representing peace and presence, 16:9 landscape.

The Relational Aspect of Goodness

Think about someone who truly embraces the life God gave them, even when it wasn't the life they initially chose. We often share the story of people like Matt, who found that embracing God’s path led to a depth of relationship he never would have found on his own "perfect" path.

God’s goodness is poured out in relationship. It’s not an abstract concept. It’s the way He provides a moment of peace when you’re overwhelmed. It’s the way He sends a word of encouragement through a friend just when you’re about to give up.

If you are looking for resources on how to build these types of relationships and grow in your walk, check out our Bible Study Club. It’s a place to connect with others who are also trying to navigate the "not according to plan" moments of life.

Active Waiting: Noticing the Goodness

Living in daily expectation means we have to stay open. We have to actively notice and acknowledge His goodness through grateful awareness.

How do we do that?

1. Acknowledge the Present: Stop for a moment. Even in a difficult situation, what is one thing that is a gift right now?

2. Recall Past Faithfulness: Remember the last time you thought you wouldn't make it through, and yet, here you are.

3. Speak It Out: Tell someone: or just tell God: that you trust His character more than your current view of the horizon.

When we practice this, we are preparing ourselves for the "Blessed Hope." This is one of our fundamental truths: the resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord. That is the ultimate "goodness" we expect.

An expansive view of a starry night sky over a calm ocean, symbolizing the vastness of God's promises and the hope of the future, 16:9 landscape.

A Global Perspective on Hope

Boundless Online Church serves a global community. We know that "hope for the future" looks different depending on where you are.

If you are in a high-stress job, hope might look like a quiet five minutes. If you are in a country where your faith is tested, hope might look like the secret knowledge that your soul is secure. If you are a caregiver, hope might look like the strength to serve one more hour with love.

We want you to know that you are not alone in your waiting or your expecting. We are a community that believes in the power of prayer and the reality of God’s intervention in our daily lives.

Moving Forward This Week

As you go through this Monday and the rest of your week, try to catch yourself when you start to expect the worst.

When that "what if" thought pops up: the one that leads to anxiety: try to counter it with a "what if" of faith. "What if God provides exactly what I need today?" "What if His goodness is waiting for me in that difficult meeting?"

Expectation is a choice. It is a spiritual discipline.

If you find yourself struggling to find that hope today, we want to stand with you. Sometimes we need someone else to hold the light for us while we find our footing.

Need prayer? Text 1-901-213-7341 (message & data rates may apply). Not for emergencies.

A simple, clean image of two hands holding a warm cup of tea, suggesting comfort and a moment of reflection, 16:9 landscape.

Join the Conversation

We would love to hear from you. How are you seeing God's goodness in the middle of a plan that didn't go the way you expected? What is one thing you are confidently expecting from Him this week?

You can join the discussion in our Welcome Center. It's a great place to ask questions or just share a bit of your story.

Remember, the goodness of God isn't just a destination we reach at the end of our lives. It’s the grace that meets us in the middle of the mess.

Walk into your week with your head held high. Not because your circumstances are perfect, but because the One who holds your future is.

We help people meet Jesus and grow in faith online.

Boundless Online Church is a ministry of FA Memphis.