Anticipation

Anticipation. It has the power to change our moods, our plans, our words, our finances. Stock market theories are predicated on the power of anticipation to direct our lives. Our physical pulse and adrenaline levels change as our minds tell our bodies to ready ourselves for one possibility or another. What we anticipate often leads us to our next step - to what we will be and do next - both at a personal level, as well as in much larger scales as communities of people, as nations, as national and international church bodies.

One of the most powerful realities in our lives is how we anticipate what God is doing in the world and in our lives. What will tomorrow be like? More than the simplicities of the proverbial 1/2 full, or 1/2 empty cup, if we look closely at our hearts and minds and attitudes we may find patterns of what and how we anticipate the future, and God’s place in it. It was only a few months ago that we celebrated God’s call in our lives to be peacemakers; surrounded by people of many different faith traditions, we planted the Peace Pole in anticipation of the promise and hope of peace for all God’s people. It’s very presence helps remind me to think about, pray about and learn about what it takes for us to make peace in our lives and in our world. As our nation continues to be embroiled in the activities of war, and as many nations around the world are seemingly caught in the entanglements of poverty and hatred and greed that keep war and devastation a reality, the Peace Pole stands as a visual reminder to ask the faithful questions, “How can we anticipate peace instead of war? Hope instead of despair? Cooperation in place of condemnation?”

I like the bumper stick “Visualize World Peace.” At first it might sound so trite, so cliché. But to visualize something often helps us to anticipate it as a reality. What would it take for us, in these warm days of August, to begin to visualize in our prayers and in our hearts, to anticipate, an end to the heated destruction of communities and lives, an end to the beheading and blaming? To come together and pray with anticipation for God’s will to be done - for a strong voice of leadership to emerge somewhere, from the sea of voices, that helps to set the feet of the leaders of the nations on the path toward peace. Can we together anticipate signs of the handiwork of the God of peace, and justice and freedom?

As I write, my family and I are anticipating our trip across country to Arkansas, and all that time together with family (and many hours together in a small car) may hold! I am anticipating deep appreciation for the time together, for the taste of fresh grapes taken off the vine and renewed wonder at the power of Sabbath to bring life - the handiwork of a loving and creating God. And, I am anticipating being back mid-month to be in mission and service with you, in the name of Christ, the prince of peace.

May God give us hearts of anticipation for God’s goodness and healing power in the world.

Pastor Janet