Living in Excited Anticipation

Spring has arrived! I can see the evidence all over my front yard.  No, not green grass, robins or tulips, I’m talking about the scooters, bikes, footballs, and baseball gloves.  That is a sure sign around here that the weather is improving (despite the recent snow).

Spring is always an exciting time of year.  It’s as if God allowed much of his creation to rest for the season of winter and now slowly coaxes it all back to life right before our eyes.  It is a time full of happy anticipation as we watch the earth awaken to colorful beauty once again.

As a mother, we live our lives in anticipation.  We eagerly wait nine months for the arrival of a baby, and when they are finally placed in our arms we are responsible for anticipating all of their needs.  As they grow we continue to prepare and plan ahead for what they will need to be nourished and well cared for.  We anticipate their excitement at birthdays and holidays and we anticipate their need for comfort and love when they are hurt or disappointed.  You could say it is a part of our job description.

It is also in the job description of being a follower of Christ. We are called to live lives of anticipation.  It may be better phrased that we are allowed to live lives of anticipation.  Jeremiah 29:11 is a favorite verse for many people for good reason; it gives us great hope.  “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

When we have surrendered our lives to Christ and understand that God has full authority and control over everything that happens to us (full sovereignty), we have great freedom.  The Bible tells us in Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”  Catch that?  If you love God, ALL things work together for GOOD. 

Once again: God is in control, God has your best interests in mind, he intends everything for your good, and it is all done ultimately for his purpose, his glory. 

What will God do in your life?  I don’t have that answer, but God does.  He wrote your story long ago and it ends very well (if your heart belongs to him).  You get to live in anticipation of what is in store for your future.  This doesn’t mean that life will be roses, God’s Word does not promise that.  Only that what happens is for your benefit and will magnify God in your life.   As it says in Psalms 112, “He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.”

We also get to anticipate meeting our Savior face to face one day.  Whether this life ends and we join him in paradise or he returns to us before then.  We get to live in great excitement of this glorious event occurring in our futures!  What an amazing thing to look forward to.  Everything we do, say, read and think should be in preparation for that exact moment. 

“It will be said on that day, ‘Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us.  This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.’” – Isaiah 25:9

I have a smile on my face just typing about seeing Jesus someday!  How about you?  Are you excitedly anticipating the return of your Savior?  If so, continue to rejoice, for that day is on the horizon.  Be ready (see Luke 12:35-40)!  If this is not something you feel excitement for, time for a serious heart check.  Do not delay another second; seek Jesus now.  Allow him to bring spring to your heart, regenerating life where before there was death. “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.  And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” – Ezekiel 36:26 

I enCOURAGE you to let the signs of springtime remind you to live in excited anticipation of what God desires to unfold in your heart and life and ultimately of Jesus’ glorious return to gather his beloved to himself!