Anticipation!

Anticipation can be a powerful, positive word, more influential or motivating than we usually consider. A great deal of energy is released as we look forward to special events, the fulfillment of a promise, or being with a special person. Haven’t you rested uneasily waiting in anticipation for the morning? The fulfillment of expectations that comes with daylight is energizing! Our lives are energized when we are awaiting a visit from our children and grandchildren. It is as if we are standing on tip toes! In the next few days, we will entertain several friends in our home. We await them with an excited enthusiasm. The waiting season has merit and is designed to embellish the hoped-for moment. Special preparations are being made. We want everything “ship shape!”

The Spirit’s counsel to the Prophet Habakkuk was, “For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” (Habakkuk 2:3) Habakkuk became an expert in “Hurry up and wait!” Pat and I occasionally reflect on how long we waited for a shared dream to be realized. The wait was over 21 years! The promise was worth the wait as what we held secretly began to unfold for all to see. Our counsel to those in a hurry, take your time, allow the waiting season to form you, prepare you for the moment the thing anticipated becomes reality

Jesus is often misunderstood and some even accuse Him of frustrating people when His time line fails to match up with our schedules. Jesus told those who had seen him following the resurrection, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:4-5) The term “tarrying” has fallen into disuse, even declared theologically incorrect. However, waiting for God may have more merit than we realize if it is God’s season for conditioning our soul, preparing our heart. Have you noticed, those who waited in Jerusalem made no mention of having wasted their time waiting.

Those who expect to see Jesus are energized in anticipation. The Apostle Paul writes clearly, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self–controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” (Titus 2:11-14) The waiting season is filled with cooperative, redemptive activity as we are separated from the world and united with Jesus, step-by-step, day-after-day. The church once sang –

There is coming a day,
When no heart aches shall come,
No more clouds in the sky,
No more tears to dim the eye,
All is peace forever more,
On that happy golden shore,
What a day, glorious day that will be.

What a day that will be,
When my Jesus I shall see,
And I look upon His face,
The One who saved me by His grace;
When He takes me by the hand,
And leads me through the Promised Land,
What a day, glorious day that will be.

Look up friends! We are on the verge of something much better than we have ever known! Just wait!