My life these days feels pretty centered around anticipation. That’s the nature of pregnancy, I expect.
With only another month or so until this baby arrives, I’ve been overwhelmed with a need to prepare (everything!). This nesting has me in a bit of a frenzy at times….washing the floors on hands and knees, scrubbing and re-grouting the bathtub, getting into those dusty corners with a toothbrush!, checking and re-writing list after list of ‘things to do’. All in the name of anticipation. Believe it or not, I’m really enjoying it.
I think Jesus taught some interesting things about anticipation and expectation. For example, in Luke 12:35-47 with His words on being watchful. When I was younger, these verses kind of frightened me in that whole “Left Behind” or “A Thief in the Night” kind of way. The warning of “you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” held some pretty intimidating images in my mind with a cheesy soundtrack of that old Larry Norman song.
Recently, with this different and profoundly personal experience of expectation, these words of Jesus have taken on a new and wonderful meaning. The preparations and care that I’ve taken for the new baby are out of excitement and love for this gift. I feel myself preparing to welcome this new life at the right time, whenever that may be, “a day and hour I know not”.
In a similar way, these words of Jesus are exciting and wonderful. He is encouraging us to watch and be ready for His coming. And He is coming because He truly wants to be with us. He is Emmanuel, God with us right now, but I’m also discovering that He is always coming more and more fully in different moments and in different experiences. Living in expectation and hope of His arrival is, in some sense, quite like living day to day with my excitement for the birth of this baby. The baby is already here inside me and with me in every moment, but very soon he/she will arrive and be fully revealed. Until then, I’m living in anticipation!
I found the Larry Norman song oddly moving (save for the confusing images) in light of your post.
Thanks for this Mariko; I’m waiting to see the Lord (and the third member of the Snook family) in His full glory. In the mean time, I am comforted because I see evidence of His existence every day–and a lot of that has to do with our wonderful community.