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We are in a season of anticipation. Whether it is the Christian celebration of Jesus’ Birth, the prospects of getting together with family, or possibly getting a neat present we want, the season draws us in to expect someone or something.
It all builds to one day or couple of days before reality sets in. The day possibly did not turn out as expected.
Or maybe it was everything we hoped for and more. But it is over. Like postpartum depression after the delivery of a baby, we know we should be happy, but we are not.
The silent nights that come after Christmas may seem too silent. Silence turns into loneliness. Contemplating a new year brings the return of regrets, doubts and fears.
We suddenly have that overwhelming feeling of panic when we realize we may not know where we are headed. We may try to squash the feeling by setting some goals or making some plans.
We want to get something on the calendar, as if our planning the future will assure the future we want will be there.
The fact of the matter is that turning the page to Christmas, New Years or any other day in the future is not our call. It will happen as God wills.
The writer of Proverbs put it well when he said,
“A person may plan his own journey, but the Lord directs his steps.”
Proverbs 16:9
James gave this sobering advice.
“Listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.
What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is The Lord’s Will, we will live and do this or that.’”
James 4:13-15
So what does this come down to? The word God gave me to meditate on this year was “NOW.”
That turned out to have so many meanings and implications, it would take more posts to tell you all of them.
But this year of unexpected challenges, unexpected sorrows and unexpected joys taught me this. As much as we want to know everything that will happen, we won’t. We can expect, but Life will always be unexpected.
That is God’s Design to keep us focused on where we are and what we should be doing now.
When my mother was in her 90s, I asked her if she would like to have known in advance all that happened to her in her life. She laughed and said, “Absolutely not!”
She said, “I didn’t worry about the bad things before they happened and the good things were such delightful surprises!”
So put regret and dread aside. Anticipate with Joy. But know that whatever you are planning, God is going to top it.
Even when we don’t know what He has in mind, we can anticipate what He promised.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares The Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future!”
Jeremiah 29:11
