Eager Anticipation – October 20, 2023

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Philippians 3:20,21

Eager Anticipation

I’ll never forget it. My sister had traveled some distance to surprise my dad on his 60th birthday. When he came into the kitchen for breakfast, she was there. “Surprise!”

But my dad’s response made a deep impression on me. While he was certainly happy to see her, he didn’t give my sister the reaction she wanted. “Aren’t you happy to see me?”

Of course! “But,” he explained, “I missed out on the fun of looking forward to your visit.” Eagerly anticipating something good is part of the joy we experience. He had missed out on it!

Who doesn’t remember—or still experience—the anticipation in the days and weeks leading up to Christmas? Even though a young couples’ wedding might still be weeks or months away, planning and dreaming about how the day will go is a big part of the fun and excitement. Our lives wouldn’t be as fulfilling if everything just happened, and we could never again eagerly anticipate anything. Waiting can be difficult, but if we have the right perspective on life, waiting patiently for good things will extend and enhance our joy when the big day finally arrives.

Plenty of people have wondered why Jesus is taking so long to come back to take his people to be with him in heaven forever. Many have even used his “tardiness” as a reason to scoff at our Christian hope. However, instead of questioning his timing, the apostle Paul encourages us to eagerly await Jesus’ return. For, on that day, he will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body, and we will live with him forever.

As much as we will rejoice that day, it’s a blessing to live in eager anticipation today!

Prayer:
Jesus, help me live each day in eager anticipation of your glorious return. Amen.