This Saturday is one of the best days of the year because I will spend it with my friends at a Fantasy Football draft. We look forward to the draft all summer long, so the anticipation leading up to it this week is a lot of fun. It's exciting to think how the day will unfold and which players we'll all end up with.
I'm eager to see my buddies and remind them how I've never missed the playoffs, and I'm also ready to draft a team that I hope will beat theirs! I can't wait to see which players other owners value and which ones I'll be able to steal in later rounds. I'm pumped to see my final roster after the draft and then start pursuing trades.
As I think about how thrilled I am about Fantasy Football and how much I'm anticipating this weekend, I wonder if there is that same kind of eagerness when it comes to having faith in God.
Do we pursue Him with great anticipation and excitement? Do we expect Him to speak to us or reveal Himself to us when we open His Word, pray, and walk into church? Do we sit in suspense as we wonder how He might touch our hearts?
When we follow Jesus and interact with others, do we anticipate opportunities to share our faith and serve people? Do we experience excitement as we wait to see how He directs and guides our steps? Is our mindset filled with expectancy as we trust His answers to prayer and believe in His provision?
I believe hope and faith are attached to anticipation, and I know we can find joy and peace as we wait with that mindset. The Bible says in Psalm 5:3 (NLT), “Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to You and wait expectantly.”
Colossians 4:2 (AMP) says, “Be persistent and devoted to prayer, being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving.”
God is actively working in and around us, so let’s open our eyes and hearts to anticipate what He’s trying to reveal and ways He’s trying to use us for His glory.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray that You fill me with great hope and faith as I expectantly wait for You to show me ways to serve You. I thank you in advance for what You will do in and through me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
1. What does it mean to approach God with expectancy?
2. In what ways are you currently anticipating God to move?
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