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The Joy of Anticipation

Next Chapter: They Call Me Grandpa

Preparing for a trip or a special event can be wonderful.

Planning a wedding or preparing for a new baby takes months and is often a lot of fun (and a lot of work, too).

Planning a family trip to the local amusement park may only take one day.

My point is that most of us really enjoy anticipating an upcoming fun event.

Unfortunately, the anticipation before the event often lasts much longer than the actual event. What took days, weeks or months of joyful anticipation may only require a few short hours for the actual event.

Now let us consider our anticipation of Heaven.

I suspect that, like me, most people do not anticipate going to Heaven in the same way they anticipate a fun, family event.

But shouldn't we be anticipating Heaven every day? After all, Heaven will be more wonderful and more exciting than we can ever imagine. (See "Is Heaven Full of Dogs?")

Fortunately, the anticipation of heaven, while lasting all our life, is actually very short. The actual event goes on forever and ever and ever.

Also, fortunately, during our anticipation and preparation for Heaven, we can store all our really important personal treasures there. Then, when we arrive, we will be able to enjoy them and share them with others. It's kind of like sending your luggage on ahead of you to wait for your arrival.

Remember, the anticipation of Heaven, like the anticipation of any wonderful event, may also require a lot of work to get ready for the big event. But what a joy it should be to prepare.

Today, let's try to live our lives in joyful anticipation of Heaven. And don't forget to start packing.

"There are many rooms in my Father's home, and I am going to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would tell you plainly." (John 14:2 NLT)

"Store your treasures in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves." (Matthew 6:20 NLT)

Dearest Father God, forgive me when I forget about the wonderful place you have prepared for me called Heaven. Help me to live today and everyday from now on in great joyful anticipation of Heaven. Amen.
Questions for consideration...
  1. What was the most recent event I enjoyed anticipating?
  2. How long did the anticipation last?
  3. How long did the event last?
  4. Am I anticipating Heaven the same way as that event?
  5. If I began living every day in joyful anticipation and preparation for Heaven, how would my life change?

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Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189. All rights reserved.

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