Anticipation
Lately I've been thinking alot about anticipation and why i think it is so cool. This was all spawned on my way home from work the other night when i was listening to John Mayer's live version of "covered in rain." The song is 10 minutes long and he is soloing for 7 minutes and he will constantly go on runs then pull back....to build anticipation. That is the preface to my thoughts here today...
I then was thinking about anticipation and how good of a feeling it leaves me with. It is like the anti-anxiety for me. I think about all the things i anticipate: Christmas, my wedding, seeing friends, drinking coffee and having bagels in the morning, having lunch with a friend, going to a concert....things like that. But why is anticipation so great and at times seems better than the actual event! I think it is because i can anticipate something like christmas for almost an entire year thinking about all of the good feelings that go along with it; family, friends, good food, snow, etc. Then i think about the anticipation for the Kingdom of God and what that means and about all the different conotations that surface with that.
I know sooooo many people that are just so pumped for heaven because that is what they believe is the kingdom of God. We can anticipate a great event, getting caught up in all of the hype and then feel let down after the event occurs...like the after Christmas blues. But in reality, the point i'm trying to make is that to be a true disciple of God we can not anticipate the kingdom of God....because it is already here. If i claim to be a christian than part of Christ and his kingdom is present on earth. The hype is just that, hype. The matter at hand is that we must live life to the full, take the good out of every situation we can, and live like heaven is already here on earth so long as we have the faith that the good which is present within us through the power of Jesus Christ can overcome the evil that is trying to make a last attempt, dying run at conquering this earth. And then the fact of the matter is that evil may take this world but the Kingdom of heaven will not be taken for it has already been conquered once and for all!
Tangent...sorry. My collected thoughts have prompted me to know that anticipation is a great thing but it should never outweigh or outlast the true event we are waiting for. The anticipation for christmas is so great because we associate all of the good times we've had on christmas, but the anticipation will never be better than the event itself. I love thinking about coffee and having conversations with friends, but thinking about it is never quite as good as being in the moment. Thus, my charge is to bring the kingdom of heaven with ourselves wherever we go, (for lack of a different cliche) we are the hands and feet of Christ, we are Christ embodied. The kingdom of heaven is near, among us, and all around us Jesus says in scripture...i believe it's time to start making that an everyday event...peace.
I then was thinking about anticipation and how good of a feeling it leaves me with. It is like the anti-anxiety for me. I think about all the things i anticipate: Christmas, my wedding, seeing friends, drinking coffee and having bagels in the morning, having lunch with a friend, going to a concert....things like that. But why is anticipation so great and at times seems better than the actual event! I think it is because i can anticipate something like christmas for almost an entire year thinking about all of the good feelings that go along with it; family, friends, good food, snow, etc. Then i think about the anticipation for the Kingdom of God and what that means and about all the different conotations that surface with that.
I know sooooo many people that are just so pumped for heaven because that is what they believe is the kingdom of God. We can anticipate a great event, getting caught up in all of the hype and then feel let down after the event occurs...like the after Christmas blues. But in reality, the point i'm trying to make is that to be a true disciple of God we can not anticipate the kingdom of God....because it is already here. If i claim to be a christian than part of Christ and his kingdom is present on earth. The hype is just that, hype. The matter at hand is that we must live life to the full, take the good out of every situation we can, and live like heaven is already here on earth so long as we have the faith that the good which is present within us through the power of Jesus Christ can overcome the evil that is trying to make a last attempt, dying run at conquering this earth. And then the fact of the matter is that evil may take this world but the Kingdom of heaven will not be taken for it has already been conquered once and for all!
Tangent...sorry. My collected thoughts have prompted me to know that anticipation is a great thing but it should never outweigh or outlast the true event we are waiting for. The anticipation for christmas is so great because we associate all of the good times we've had on christmas, but the anticipation will never be better than the event itself. I love thinking about coffee and having conversations with friends, but thinking about it is never quite as good as being in the moment. Thus, my charge is to bring the kingdom of heaven with ourselves wherever we go, (for lack of a different cliche) we are the hands and feet of Christ, we are Christ embodied. The kingdom of heaven is near, among us, and all around us Jesus says in scripture...i believe it's time to start making that an everyday event...peace.
posted by Levi at
9:07 AM
2 Comments:
Well said my friend. I have been thinking quite a bit about this subject as well. While I anticipate how beatiful it will be to be in the presence of God for eternity, I cannot hang on those moments. "Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven." Nicely done. I am anticipating Lobstah Fest!
i'm too lazy to look up the specific quote, but i'm pretty sure bonhoeffer said something like the following:
"the kingdom of god is not an ideal to be pursued, but a reality to be participated in."
good thoughts. you're missed. peace.
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