What are the top 5 events you are eagerly looking forward to these days? With the recent limitations of the pandemic, most of us have a much shorter list than we had prior to 2020. Because the connection between anticipation and hope is so strong, it just might be we could use a big injection of “Anticipation” in order to protect us from some serious problems. Looking forward to future events or experiences creates in us a very powerful and positive emotion which all of us need to feel and experience. Whether it is simply the final chapter in an exciting book or a long-awaited vacation, the minutes or weeks during which you are looking forward to the event are filled with curiosity and expectation. For children, visible excitement usually fills the air and can even keep them awake at night. For adults, it’s often what keeps us motivated, energetic, and happy.
Without a doubt, looking forward to “the things that God has prepared for those that love Him” (I Corinthians 2: 9) is the greatest future event that you and I could possibly anticipate. Jesus often talked with His disciples and His followers about their eternal future. How He longed for them to believe in Him so He could give them the gift of eternal life. While He knew they didn’t want Him to leave them, He comforted them by explaining that He was going to “prepare a place for them so they could always be with Him”. (John 14: 1 – 4) In almost all of the Epistles, the writers encourage the believers (and us) to live in eager anticipation of Christ’s return and the “new heaven and new earth”. What a day it will be when people from every nation, tribe, people and language stand with the angels before God’s throne and worship Him, singing, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen.” (Revelation 7: 9 – 12)
You might want to use your imagination as you anticipate eternity. Don Wyrtzen, a hymn writer, expressed it this way:
Just think of stepping on shore-And finding it Heaven!
Of touching a hand-And finding it God’s!
Of breathing new air-And finding it celestial!
Of waking up in glory-And finding it home!
