Expect the Unexpected Reality

Part of my job here at the church is promotions. I conjure up an idea, present it to the church, and try to get people excited about the upcoming event. Some of these events have been spectacular, and some have not, but I get to promote them either way.

If you go to a sporting event, very often you will have the opportunity to get some free promotions: a bobble head of a player, or perhaps a t-shirt with a players name on the front and a sponsoring company on the front. I have received everything from shirts, to hats, to posters, to foam fingers as a way of promoting a company, event, or team.

In 2000, the Toronto Blue Jays decided to promote an event called "Hot Dog Blaster" as a way to get fans to come to the game. This event promised free hot dogs to those in attendance, as long as they could catch them as they were shot out of a modified cannon in their direction. The modified cannon was never used before the night of the event. As the cannon made it's debut, it shot out foil wrapped hot dogs in the direction of the fans. Unfortunately, instead of producing wieners in a bun, it shot them out at such a rate that the cannon simply shot hot dog fragments all over the people in the stands! Cries echoed throughout the stadium as people were plastered with bits of ballpark franks. Mistaking the cries of the crowd for cheers, the operators of the blaster continued to assault the fans with scraps of meat falling from the sky.

To make matters worse, the action on the field was also a disaster! The Blue Jays were getting blown away by the Anaheim Angels. In fact, the Angels notched 16 runs in the final 5 innings of play.

The Toronto fans experienced a night of disappointment. Free dinner and a good game were on many of the fans' agendas, but they got only hot dog stains on their clothes, and  a lousy game for the home team. The expectations of the fans were most definitely not met.

Isn't that kinda how life is though sometimes? Often in sports as well as life, our expectations far exceed the reality of the situation. The expectations that we bring to the table each and every day may, or may not be reality. The challenge for today is to remember that it's okay if your agenda gets smashed in order for God's to be fulfilled, because when God changes your agenda, it something He has designed for your good.

If you get invited to a hot dog blaster event, politely decline the offer in light of the knowledge you now have. Now, go live out God's agenda for today!