The Eagerly Anticipated
Recently I ordered a writing desk. I spent hours combing the internet for that special desk that would work best in my space. We don’t have an extra room for an office or guest room, so the corner of the living room behind the recliner is now my little writing and study space. I made many measurements to determine my allowable area. My husband specifically requested a roll-top type desk so that all my study material could be quickly and neatly tucked out of sight. I was so happy when I showed him my favorite option and he agreed. I couldn’t seem to order it fast enough!
In the days it took to ship, I carefully prepared the area. Several items had to move. I ended up rearranging furniture in multiple rooms, cleaned more than I had anticipated, and measured again to make sure everything was in its proper place. I was so excited about the arrival of the desk I didn’t mind all the cleaning and measuring and moving. And believe me, I avoid cleaning. I really wanted to get everything ready so that the desk would have a place as soon as it came.
Have you experienced this kind of excitement and anticipation? Perhaps it was due to a piece of furniture, special visitors, or even the arrival of a baby. We are thrilled by the anticipation of what is coming and work with enthusiasm to prepare a place, fully ready and equipped.
As I cleaned and measured and moved, one thought kept repeating over and over in my mind: “I am preparing a place for you.” At first I thought this was somewhat humorous as Jesus said basically the same thing in John 14. The big surprise didn’t come until I had the space completely ready. I took a step back and examined my work: the clean tiny empty corner. I imagined talking to my desk (yes, I do things like that, talk to inanimate objects; even inanimate objects that aren’t there). I envisioned carefully moving it into place while lovingly saying, “You belong here.”
That’s when my mind was blown.
I was used to the phrase “I am preparing a place for you.” It was fun to imagine Jesus preparing a place especially for me, somewhat like what I was doing in preparing a place for my long-awaited desk. I even considered how excited I was for the desk to arrive and realized Jesus is even more excited for the moment when we’re together.
What really blew my mind was the thought, “You belong here.” Will it be like that? I could picture it so clearly: entering the other side, being greeted by Christ and swept up in a big warm embrace. He’s been waiting for me! He looks down at me and says, “You belong here.” Oh, to hear such affirmation and acceptance!
Hear His voice and picture that moment in your mind. You are highly valued and your arrival is eagerly anticipated.
Believe it.
Live like it.
We serve an active God. All His activity is in pursuit of you. Jesus is at work preparing a place for you and for me. He’s working on it meticulously, preparing a special place to delight His beloved. The Holy Spirit is working here in our lives today. God goes before us and prepares the way. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 NASB
You are precious to Him. He is so excited about finally being together. It’s what we were created for. All His work has been to that aim. Togetherness. That is where we belong.
Soak in the truth of these verses this week:
– John 14:1-4
– John 17:20-26 (*24)
– 2 Corinthians 5:1-10
– Revelation 19:5-9
– Revelation 21:1-5
* Yes, I did straighten the side table before I took a picture. There’s a reason my hubby wanted a desk that could close! 😉
Originally posted January 7, 2019
Great message Heather! Right now we all need a bit of anticipation in our lives it rejuvenates our soul. As I have personally shared with you – I anticipate for every Monday to hear your next blog and then listen to your message throughout the week. Just in the past week I ordered my sisters mugs for Mother’s Day and their Birthday – counted down the days for them to arrive – yes Mom Facetime me when hers arrived in Florida – I was like a little kid – open it….the message on the beautiful coffee mug said “A Sister is God’s Way of making sure we never walk alone”. Then Aunt Nancy received hers – great having twin sisters because it is double the anticipation. (yes I got them the exact same mug)
By the way – I love your desk!
Praise God for the messages you provide to us every week.
Love you!
Anticipation does bring excitement to our lives and rejuvenates, doesn’t it? It’s a special kind of anticipation that eagerly awaits the opportunity to delight a loved one. Whether it’s revealing a special surprise or a gift, one can hardly wait to view the joy on the recipient’s face. (Unless, of course, it’s my mom. Then the goal is make her cry. That’s when you know the gift is really good. They’re tears of joy, naturally!) Love you, Lady! I appreciate the comment!
Anticipation is awesome! When my husband was in Viet Nam, I kept a calendar with the days counted down to when we would be together again. Each day I marked off brought me closer to being with him. I chose to focus on anticipation rather than being discouraged by the number of days we went without seeing each other. I was so excited that last week before he was to arrive home. It is a blessing to think about how our Lord will welcome us and how happy He will be to have us in our heavenly home. I have often thought about the joy we will experience, but have never thought about the joy of our Lord. Thank you Heather for this new perspective.
What a wonderful example of anticipation! I love how you consciously chose to focus on the goal instead of the barriers. The choice of perspective can make all the difference. I also love how your experience brings out the anticipation of waiting for the one you love to arrive. I’m sure you had everything ready for his arrival and all kinds of his favorite things prepared. It’s so delightful to think of Christ preparing for us! I honestly get excited about it. Thank you for sharing a part of your life and experience, Glenda!
I love your little space & your desk its so wonderful to anticipate things in our life as it gives us so much joy like me anticipating spending Christmas with my great grandaon & my granddaughter in Indiana! What better joy to look forward to tho than to be welcomed into Heaven by Jesus as he wraps his love, peace & comfort around us with his strong merciful arms as he welcomes us home. Do i anticipate that day well I most surly do!
What great way to start my week. Thank .you Heather! You are a blessing in my life with your blog.
Now you can picture me in my corner, writing back to you! I’m so glad we have moments of joy and anticipation that shed light on what’s to come. There’s nothing like getting together with loved ones that you haven’t seen for quite some time. It is precious. Thanks for participating with me!
I love this! I love anticipation! Some days, when I am only faced with endless doldrums, I create something to anticipate. It’s a way to remind myself that there is more than “this”; when “this” is not particularly appealing. I especially love when all my research and engineering reaches fruition – like your desk! And then… to realize that we are mere reflections of the Creator… what must His anticipation feel like as He prepares a place for us?!?!
Oooo, I love your idea of creating anticipation! I will have to do that, especially on a day full of cleaning. It is so rewarding to see the final product, isn’t it? It’s a way we imitate God as His children. Just like our Daddy, we step back, take a look at our creation, and say, “It is good.” All of His creation is “fearfully and wonderfully made.” It makes me so excited to see what wonderful place He has prepared on the other side of corruption! Wow!!! (I’m getting giddy just thinking about it!) Thank you so much for adding to this story and sharing in the anticipation.
Beautiful and encouraging!
Thank you, Russ. I’m so glad it was meaningful to you as well!