Anticipation

“I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭130:5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Anticipation

I remember the commercials of my youth. There was this ketchup commercial many years ago. It extolled the thickness of its product, and how it was worth the wait. The theme music was a hit song by Carly Simon. You had the slow moving stream of creamy ketchup gently pouring out of the bottle to finally cover the burger or fries it was aimed. The anticipation, became fulfillment.

As in the commercial, some of the best things require time. We live in an instant culture. Life by microwave, toss it in and push the button. We also look at God the same way. We pray and pray for something, and feel as though God is not listening, because we have not gotten the answer that we desire.

I know all about waiting and anticipation. I have spent a lot of time in God’s waiting room. Whether it be in a bed, on my back at Mayo Clinic, or sitting in a dialysis chair, I have had those moments where I have had little choice but to wait. In those times, I sought the One who knew the answers. I remember spending most of each day in those moments seeking Jesus in His word and prayer.

I spent that time in anticipation. Life without God, is like waiting for the other shoe to drop. We have no clue what is coming, and we find ourselves trying desperately to make something happen, as the waiting makes us irrational. All too often such efforts lead to more problems and no solutions.

I think of Abram and Sarai after they heard the promises of God. They were expecting Him to bring about what He promised right away. They were expecting that bun in the oven, and they wanted that oven to be a microwave. When they tired of the wait, they set about bringing it to pass themselves. Their effort has consequences even today.

Getting back to that commercial. I love ketchup. I think of it as a fine tomato bisque marinade to be applied to the finest meats. No steak is complete without it! Yum! Looking back at the commercial way back when, I could feel the anticipation, because I knew what was to come. For me it was worth the wait. I love my Lord. He has been good to me and my life has been transformed so completely. I my time of waiting, I have great anticipation of the great things He will do. I know that He is worth the wait.

When I have gone through the dark times, I could face each day knowing that, no matter how bad, God was planning something at the end of it. My job was to keep looking to Him and not the situation. I am the better because I am in a situation where I can do little for myself. I seek Jesus out of a position of dependence.

In the waiting, I draw Hope from His word. My bible is full of promises, all kept to this time, and others to be fulfilled in the future. Believers, He is a great God and worth the wait.

Are you in a time of waiting? Take the time and look through His word, and see how He has been faithful. Great things take time. Like the joy of waiting on the birth of a child, the anticipation of what God will do brings forth joy in us.

When you find yourself in the waiting room, you are not alone. Jesus is right there with you!

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