On Pins and Needles

For the past several weeks, I have been eagerly watching for signs of spring, as I'm sure many others have been as well.  Ahhh, just take a deep breath and know that spring is finally, at long last, in the air.

Many people seem to think of Christmas as "the most wonderful time of the year."  Around Christmas-time, I would agree.  But today, as I noticed new blossoms on the tree in our yard, I began thinking that spring is great, too.  I wonder why those two times - Christmas and spring - stand out as the best times of the year?

Then I realized what makes spring and Christmas seem so special.  Anticipation: the waiting for something coming that is even better than what we have now.  During the Christmas season, we are anticipating Christmas Day.  During spring, we anticipate summer.

Anticipation.  Looking forward.  Trying so hard to wait patiently.  The dictionary defines "anticipate" as "to look forward to as certain."  When we hear "Joy to the World," we know that Christmas is around the corner.  When we see blossoms on trees and heard birds chirping, we know that spring is coming.  For certain.  You can count on it.

What must Paul have been thinking when he cried out "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" (Romans 7:24).  Why was he so miserable? Didn't this same man write, "For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:2)?  Why did he consider himself free on the one hand and yet still a wretched man?

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God...For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience" (Romans 8:18-25, emphasis added).

The weight of sin has marred the picture of the glorious world God created.  Everywhere, all of creation groans under the burden.

But, wait.  The story isn't over yet.  We anticipate the final chapter.  '"Behold, I am making all things new'" (Revelation 21:5).  For the redeemed, such a dreary, painful world will not always be so.  One day we will reach the gates of heaven and hear '''Enter into the joy of your master'" (Matthew 25:21).


Until then, we anticipate our eternal destination - sitting on pins and needles, so to speak, as we wait for our call to glory.  It will come.  For certain.  You can count on it.

Photo Credit: Arvind Balaraman from FreeDigitalPhotos.net