Living With Anticipation!

Living with anticipation! Sometimes it is difficult. It can be amusing to watch a child anticipating something about to happen. They can hardly sit still. They squirm. Their feet kick. Their eyes are wide open. Sometimes they even let out a little squeal as they clap their hands together. It can all be very tough on them. Is there still some child within us?

We have expectations and hopes for life. These help to instill a will to press on. However, are we like the child who just cannot wait? Perhaps some are hard to live around due to the manner in which they live with anticipation. As Paul encouraged those to whom he wrote at Rome, he noted two things that should mark our anticipation as children of God.

We read…
“(22) For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. (23) And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as WE WAIT EAGERLY for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. (24) For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? (25) But if we hope for what we do not see, WE WAIT FOR IT WITH PATIENCE.” ( Romans 8:22-25)

Having become a child of God through baptism ( Galatians 3:26-27) and therefore an heir of the promise made to Abraham ( Galatians 3:29), we live in anticipation of our complete and final redemption. That anticipation should be marked by a sense of EAGERNESS that keeps our focus fixed on that which is to come. Having a longing for our full redemption in Christ guards against developing an attitude of complacency with where we are presently. There is more to our existence that the life here. However, we also need to be PATIENT as we continue to fulfill the purposes of God for our life while we remain in this realm.

Perhaps EAGERNESS and PATIENCE appear to make an odd couple, maybe even being viewed at times as impatient patience. However, they are two qualities to be possessed in view of the hope we have in Christ. May the balance of both be maintained as we seek to serve God’s Will now in anticipation of the eternal glories to come.

Have a great day WAITING ENTHUSIASTICALLY FOR THE GLORIES TO COME!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Expectations