Waiting, waiting, waiting. Is it a blessing or a curse?
There is always something to wait for with anticipation.
I anticipate everything from my morning coffee to preparing a sermon or writing a blog. I look forward to playing couples pickleball on Tuesday nights and getting together with our Community Group on Sunday evenings. I’m excited about my next good meal and the next time I get to sit with Jesus as I pray or open His Word. In fact, there’s almost no part of my day that I don’t anticipate in one way or another. And time away with Darci? Oh, my goodness! Anticipation on steroids.
Of course, not all anticipation is positive. Fear of what might happen distorts anticipation and spells it as d-r-e-a-d. But much of what we dread does not come from the Father of hope. It stems from an enemy who wants to steal from us the gift of anticipation. God gifts us with anticipation to release joy as well as provide hope in dark times. For example, death loses its sting when we are filled with the anticipation of heaven!
I believe there is one word that makes a massive difference in our waiting: Perspective! Do we see things from God’s perspective or our own, through eyes of fear or faith, from the vantage point of the world or the Word?
In Joshua 3, the people of Israel stood at the Jordan River looking at the Promised Land that God had promised for generations. They had not yet marched around Jericho. They hadn’t faced any giants in the new land. They were simply standing there between what has been and what will be. It’s a moment we’ve all stood in. It’s the start of something new and different. In that moment of anticipation, Joshua said, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you”. He didn’t tell them to strategize. He didn’t tell them to sharpen their weapons either. He simply said to consecrate yourselves.
I love this moment and what God was asking them to do. Before there would be any victories or amazing things done by God, the people would have to consecrate themselves. That means that they would dedicate their whole selves to God, set themselves apart from the way others lived and to present themselves to God as a living sacrifice. To consecrate yourself is to clear away things from your life and to make room for God so He can fill it. It’s a spiritual posture that says, “I put aside my plans for what’s ahead and make myself available for what you want to do next.” It takes a moment of uncertainty and gives God permission to direct us where He wants to lead us. It puts both what’s ahead and what is being left behind in His hands.
Last Sunday was Vision Sunday at Fellowship. A Sunday for us to see the past and the future with perspective, with eyes of faith! There is still uncertainty. We are, and always will be, a work in progress. But we are His church, and we were meant to THRIVE! He made us for more...to be more and to bear more as we abide in Him!
It fills me with expectant anticipation!
I believe we are standing in a threshold moment of what has been and what will be. God says in Isaiah 43:18-19, “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
Brothers and sisters, as we prepare to launch a new ministry year, let’s consecrate ourselves. Let go of the former things and embrace the new things God wants to do in you and in His church. Consecration starts with surrender. What do we need to lay down before we step into the Jordan? Ask the Lord. Trust Him. He will direct our paths.
Thank you, Father, for this wonderful gift of anticipation. Make us to wait upon you with expectant hope and everlasting joy.