Well, it is official. The call came in late last night. Our youngest daughter, JoAnna is engaged to a wonderful, strong Christian young man. Of course, I was alerted to the pending proposal when Jeremiah and I spoke earlier in the afternoon. But I have to confess, it was very hard to contain my excitement throughout the night as I awaited the joyful announcement directly from our daughter.
The overwhelming excitement and joy in both their voices was a powerful testimony of the vision of their future that lies ahead. What an exciting time for them! All the dreams and plans of the good things in their life together were bursting forth throughout our conversations. I can hardly remember a time when I have heard JoAnna giggle and gasp so much at the expectations of what was happening in her life!
Early this morning I awoke and found myself thinking about the excitement that JoAnna and Jeremiah are experiencing. Then, from seemingly out of no where, the revelation that Jesus is referred to as the groom and the church as His bride popped into my mind. I instantly began to associate our kid’s enthusiasm to that of us as Christians, as we anticipate the good things that Jesus has provided for us right NOW! (Hebrews 9:11) I got so excited about this thought that I had to get up and start doing some research in the Word concerning the state of joy that Christians are supposed to be living in!
Close your eyes and think about this with me for a few moments. Remember the statement that Jesus made in John 10:10 where He said that He came so that we might have life more abundantly? He was basically fulfilling the prophetic statement that the angel made to the shepherds on that lonely field in Jerusalem kingdom of God
Colossians 1:12 -13 says that we are to “thank the Father who has made us able to share the light, which is what God’s people inherit. (For He) has rescued us from the power of darkness and has brought us into the kingdom of his Son, whom he loves.” (Gods Word ©)
Just as JoAnna and Jeremiah are expectantly committed to a new and exciting life together, with visions of all the good things ahead, we, as Christians, should also live our daily lives with a high expectancy of all the good things ahead that Jesus has already provided for us! Romans 14:17 says that “the kingdom of God
Wow! Now that is GOOD NEWS! That’s what the gospel that we are to live our lives by is all about! Why don’t all of us live our daily lives in this mode? Well, maybe it is because we spend too much time reading the news about the power of darkness and not enough in filling ourselves up with the broadcasts that define where we live, and what the forecasts for our past, present and future are. (see: Romans 12:2 and Hebrews 12:2) Hummm… this may seem radical to some of you, but the Word is filled with this message!
Romans 15:13 sums this all up quite nicely. “Now, the God of hope (ie; good expectations) fill you with ALL joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope (or expectancy) through the power (or ability) of the Holy Ghost.” (King James Version, parentheses mine) Like I said the other day… it kinda makes you want to shout for JOY doesn’t it!
I encourage you to take some time this weekend, and be like my kids as you live and dream about all the joyful events that God has prepared for your lives… each day! This may sound pretty incredible, but the facts found within the pages of the Word back it up completely! Have a fun weekend in your new found engagement with the King of Kings! Stay tuned and keep asking yourself… “What (GOOD THINGS) am I expecting today?”
…and by the way, Congratulations to JoAnna and Jeremiah!
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