Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
As I read the observation by columnist Andree Seu, I almost yelled out loud, Yes. Yes. Yes. That’s me! She wrote, “God wired humans to look forward to things.”
Sometimes I feel like the anticipator-in-chief. I anticipate everything from my morning coffee and devotions when I wake up to reading a chapter or two in a book before going to sleep. I look forward to writing in the coziness of my favorite coffee shop. To meeting with my small group of ladies on Monday afternoons. Or spending an evening watching a British mystery with my husband. In fact, there’s almost no part of my day that I don’t anticipate in one way or another.
And the holidays? Oh my goodness! Anticipation on steroids. Even in this weird year filled with so much uncertainty, I’m still anticipating.
Of course, not all anticipation is positive. Fear of what might happen distorts anticipation and spells it as d-r-e-a-d. As many of you know, I teach Public Speaking—not the most anticipated class on the syllabus. In fact, one student confessed when she found out she had to take Public Speaking this semester, she prayed for the Rapture! But she made it through and said how in spite of her fears, the class turned out to be one of her favorites. So much of what we dread does not come from the Father of hope. But 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. No wonder Satan wants to take it away.
As we approach celebrating the most anticipated event in human history—with its 55 Old Testament prophecies about Jesus’ birth—let’s not miss it. Every year (even 2020) the Christmas season offers us an opportunity to remember the God who keeps his promises and gives us reason to hope. To trust. To anticipate.
So I pray you release that God-wired gift this year, no matter what your circumstances. May you let the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace assure you he comes to make all things new.