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I remember as a young person going on our vacations with the family to a little fish camp on the Jourdan River near Kiln, MS. Actually we went twice each summer; right after school got out for the summer, and just before school started back at the end of the summer. Back then it was the highlight(s) of my summer! And even now, I enjoy incredibly fond memories of our family outings there.
I cannot accurately explain the anticipation I experienced a few days before we went. Along with almost sleepless nights, I would daydream about fishing with Dad and of course, out-fishing him! Dad was an artist and days before we went he would draw caricatures of each of us pulling in the fish. Talk about fueling the anticipation! I wish I could get my hands on some of those old sketches! They were hilarious!
The dictionary says anticipation is "the act of anticipating or the state of being anticipated." "A foretaste, expectation, or hope. Anticipation is realization in advance. I like that. It is a foretaste of what is expected or hoped for.
What I love about serving Jesus is the anticipation I experience daily. What am I anticipating? Most of the time I cannot tell you exactly! But God is so good, He is so magnificent, walking with Him is such an extreme adventure that I can't help but anticipate what He will do next! In addition, being in His presence fuels anticipation of what He will reveal next about Himself!
And then there are those more concrete things I anticipate. Things like preaching and teaching His Word, sharing, church, and missions (reaching abroad to team up with folks in other nations.) I could go on, but I'll save that for another post.
To be able to do what God lays upon your heart is extremely exciting. But equally exciting is the anticipation I experience before those things take place! Anticipation is a foretaste of what is expected or hoped for. Could it be we need the experience of anticipation to produce healthy, active faith in our lives? I think so!
I am available to teach/preach God's Word in churches, conferences, workshops, special meetings and groups. I love to encourage God's people. Some of the subjects include prayer, praise and worship, marriage, missions, etc., among others. If I can serve you contact me at harvcel@gmail.com.