of our grandson. He was due on the 10th of the month, however, he didn’t arrive until the 20th! Our kids live out of state, so we had made the journey to be there for his birth. Well, after two weeks of waiting, the blessed birth finally took place. (I’m sure you will be hearing more about him in the future!)
During those two weeks of “anticipation” we kept ourselves occupied with daily responsibilities and projects. We put the finishing touches on the baby room, cleaned all the cracks, corners, crevices and finished an irrigation system for the yard. Upon reflection it brings me to the point of this article- which is actually not about a ketchup commercial or a sneaky birth announcement of my grandson. It’s about the anticipation and occupying oneself until you see the event, the results, the promise you have been foreseeing.
First; we must have anticipation or expectancy to truly have motivation and purpose in our daily lives. Without them, everything is ordinary and mundane.
Secondly; we must occupy or engage in purposeful activity until the event, results, promise appear. I believe this was Jesus point in saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
(Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭18-20‬ NKJV)
When He gave a parable about heaven –
“‘Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately. Therefore He said: “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’”
(‭Luke‬ ‭19‬:‭11-13‬ NKJV)
Notice verse 11, they thought it would appear immediately, so the parable stressed doing business until He comes. Then in Acts at His departure, is the encouragement to stop gawking and start doing!
‘Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”’ (‭Acts‬ ‭1‬:‭9-11‬ NKJV)
Do you need purpose in your life? Meaning for your everyday activity? Enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ and your life will have anticipation and purpose! Each day becomes one day closer to the promise.
Pastor Nick Stutesman