What does “holy anticipation” mean? I’m not just looking for a dictionary definition. I’m interested in how someone might experience or cultivate holy anticipation in their daily life. Can you provide examples of situations where someone might feel holy anticipation, and how it might manifest itself? Perhaps towards a specific religious holiday, a personal goal aligned with their faith, or even simply in the expectation of encountering God in ordinary moments? How is it different from regular anticipation or just plain hope? And are there specific practices or disciplines that can foster a sense of holy anticipation?
Answer
Holy anticipation, in a practical, everyday sense, means living with a hopeful expectation and eagerness for God’s presence, activity, and future promises to unfold in your life and in the world around you. It’s not a passive waiting, but an active posture of alertness, preparation, and engagement with the present moment while looking forward to something more.
Here’s a breakdown of its practical aspects:
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Awareness of God’s Presence: It involves cultivating a constant awareness of God’s presence in your daily life, recognizing that He is actively working even in the seemingly mundane moments. This can manifest as noticing beauty in nature, feeling a sense of peace amidst chaos, or recognizing opportunities for kindness and service.
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Expectation of God’s Activity: It means anticipating that God will continue to be active in your life, answering prayers, providing guidance, and opening doors. This expectation can fuel faith and encourage perseverance through challenging times, believing that God is working towards a greater purpose.
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Hope for the Future: It embodies a hopeful outlook based on God’s promises for the future. This hope extends beyond personal desires and includes a longing for justice, peace, and the ultimate fulfillment of God’s kingdom. It shapes your perspective, influencing how you make decisions and interact with others, knowing that this world is not the final destination.
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Active Preparation: It is not simply waiting, but actively preparing for what God might do or reveal. This can involve studying Scripture, praying regularly, seeking wisdom from others, and developing your gifts and talents to be used for His purposes.
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Engagement with the Present: It means living fully in the present moment while simultaneously looking forward. It’s about recognizing opportunities to live out your faith, serve others, and make a positive impact on the world, knowing that these actions contribute to the unfolding of God’s kingdom.
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Discernment: It involves discerning God’s will and leading in specific situations. This requires paying attention to promptings of the Holy Spirit, seeking wise counsel, and aligning your actions with God’s Word.
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Gratitude: It includes a deep sense of gratitude for God’s past faithfulness and provision. This gratitude fuels hope and strengthens faith, reminding you that God can be trusted to fulfill His promises in the future.
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Patience: It acknowledges that God’s timing is not always our own. It requires patience to wait for God to act in His own way and in His own time, trusting that He knows what is best.
- Resilience: When encountering setbacks or disappointments, holy anticipation provides resilience. This anticipation acknowledges the reality of suffering in the world but maintains unwavering hope in God’s ultimate victory and restoration.
In essence, holy anticipation is a way of living that infuses everyday life with purpose, hope, and a deep sense of connection to God. It is a constant reminder that we are part of something larger than ourselves and that God is working to bring about His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
Pray This Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We come before you today seeking a deeper understanding of “holy anticipation.” We hear those words, and they sound beautiful, full of hope and expectation, but we struggle to translate them into the rhythm of our daily lives.
What does holy anticipation mean, in a practical, everyday sense?
Does it mean looking for you in the sunrise, knowing you are the Creator of its beauty and promise? Does it mean expecting your guidance as we face difficult decisions, trusting that you will light our path, even when we can’t see the road ahead?
Does it mean greeting each person we encounter with an open heart, anticipating the opportunity to see your image reflected in them, and to offer a word or deed of kindness and grace?
Does it mean praying for those in need, believing that you hear our prayers and are working in their lives, even when we don’t see immediate answers?
Does it mean approaching our work with diligence and integrity, knowing that you are the ultimate rewarder of faithfulness, and that even the smallest tasks can be done with excellence to your glory?
Lord, help us to move beyond mere wishful thinking and into a state of active expectation, a holy anticipation that shapes our thoughts, words, and actions. Fill us with a spirit of eager expectation, not for our own benefit, but for the unveiling of your Kingdom in our lives and in the world around us.
Teach us to wait on you with patience, trusting in your perfect timing, and to find joy in the journey, knowing that you are always with us.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
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