The Committee of the Expected

By: Chloe Grabeman

Forward: This blog was written to my incredible brother as he continues to pursue his dreams in music and acting. You inspire me, Carey.

 

One of my favorite books of all time is Lois Lowry’s The Giver. It follows the unique life of a young boy named Jonas living in a seemingly Utopian society where the life decisions of all its inhabitants are chosen by a supreme “Committee of Elders.”

One climactic moment occurs at the “Ceremony of Twelve,” where the life professions of the selected age group are chosen. The moment that Jonas has worked and waited his whole life to discover is about to be revealed in this specifically designated and intricately designed moment of truth.

But when the time comes for Jonas’ name to be called, he is skipped.

Here we see such a relatable moment of panic as Jonas is passed by dozens of peers as they receive their life task while he is left with nothing but humiliation, terror, and confusion.

When you’ve spent so much time working and waiting for God to fulfill his promises and nothing seems to change, it can feel as if you were skipped.

Forgotten.

Overlooked.

Unqualified.

So often we let our lives be controlled by a supreme committee – we’ll call them the Committee of the Expected

 

Their governing policy says “at this stage of life it’s expected to have:”

Reached your dreams and aspirations

Found love

Found clarity

Found your passion

Found peace

And when you haven’t, they say, “You’ve already lost the race, time to settle with second best.”

In these moments of discouragement and defeat, we have to realize the enemy has taken hold of the narrative we are living by.

When we allow God to take control of the narrative we find a guaranteed hope even if our circumstances remain in waiting. He says:

For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. (2 Corinthians 1:20-22)

As children of God, we can rest in the fact that we are not defined by worldly expectations. Rather we can walk in faith that we are established, anointed, and sealed by the Holy Spirit that we will find our yes in him no matter the timing.

God has more for you than this world has planned. You were not forgotten or skipped in his blessing.

You were created for something only you can fulfill, for an anointing that cannot be taken from you, and for a constant and loving yes in his faithfulness when the world says it’s time to move on.

God’s plans may not be what you think but he wouldn’t have created you with your unique gifts just to give you second best.

Take heart in the fact that as you wait, there is no need for a Plan B if God doesn’t come through. All of his promises find yes in him.

 

Playlist:

Yes – Joseph Holm

Take courage – Bethel

My Dear – Bethel

By the Streams – Jonathan Ogden

Cherry Blossoms – Andy Squyres

Listen here at the Real and True Playlist on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/user/128815512/playlist/3YfqgeMjEUj7ZB8ydKd5qL

Check out Chloe and Linda Grabeman’s book Real and True: Hope for the Restless Heart at www.realandtruehope.com