There are not many times in our lives when we know that a real life-changing event is eminent. An event that will impact each remaining moment of our days here on earth: graduation, a wedding, and the birth of a newborn to name a few. I sit here next to a sleeping Annabelle listening to her coo and seeing her occasional conductor-like arm flairs. I’ve picked her boogers, wiped her spit up out of her hair and my pants, had her poo on my shirt, and experienced her peeing just before the new diaper donned. Funny thing is, I don’t mind…in fact, Barrett and I laugh with these episodes as well as her explosive gas and burps. We watch in wonder of this new soul that has been gifted to us. The wait has ended and the joy has begun. Life will never be the same and you know what? We are overjoyed with the thought of sharing this new life with her. New smells, new scenes, and seeing life anew through her wide eyes. No book has prepared me for these feelings. No course could help me realize how my desires disappear below her desires.
In the days leading up to Annabelle’s true homecoming, we found ourselves wondering what we would be doing when she decided to come. I have never experienced labor so I found myself wondering: Should I go for a walk? Should I make a commissary run? Is it smart to drive an hour away? Knowing that her coming could be at anytime truly affected our behaviors. The thought first struck Barrett and then he shared it with me…this wait for Annabelle to come is similar to our wait for Jesus to return! The anticipation of it should lead us to live in a different way, an expectant way. We should live more for His kingdom than our own. We should learn more about Him in His word, in personal study, and with His church. We should be asking ourselves some questions: Where will I be when He comes back? What will I be doing? What will it be like to see Jesus for the first time? What will it be like to sense our new world? Our lives will truly change for eternity! All the pain and tears will be gone and perfection will reign. We will laugh easily and strife will disappear. His desires will be our desires and finally our true rest will unfold as life anew begins with our heavenly Father.
We have only sipped a drop of the joy that we will experience on that day. Oh Believer, rejoice in the hope of our risen Lord returning for that final cup! Oh Unbeliever, don’t be satisfied with your first birth, repent and be born again to a living hope. Trust in Christ for your second birth and look forward to His anticipated return that only comes with unspeakable joy!