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By: Charlene Evans

“I hope to see you soon!”

I said, right before I hung up the phone with a good friend of mine. It had been years since I saw her, which was 10 years ago when we both were in college. She got a job in California and was doing well. She was and still remains one of my very close friends and even though we don’t have the luxury of seeing each other often, I anticipate her visits when she comes to the east coast and when I am on the west coast, same with her as well. I anticipate our next visits long before we ever decide on a date and I don’t have to wonder if she will be there for me, despite our distance, because she always finds a way to be there for me. True friendship at its best and as you get older and the longer you are friends with someone, it’s precious and valuable and there is no amount of money that can replace it or create it.

Well, what about my spiritual relationship with God? Do I seek his will for my life? Do I long to be in his presence daily or do I only look for him when I need him? Do I only invite him into my life in the time of trouble because I do know that he will bear my burdens and give me rest for my soul? (Matthew 11:29-30)

The point I am trying to make with these questions is do I approach God anticipating his presence in my life daily through praise and worship for who he is in the earth regardless of the day, or what’s going on in my life, good or bad? Do I nurture the relationship through reading and studying his word? Do I welcome his spiritual presence in my life excited about how he will use me in the earth to be a blessing to others all in the name of Jesus? Do I know that Jesus is with me always?

Hmmmmm…….

We do it but sometimes we are not aware that we do it. The “it” that I am talking about is putting other things or people before God. In this case, I have developed a friendship with a girlfriend through constant communication, visits, and supporting anything that she is involved in that she would like for me to support. Distance (4-hour plane ride) or money to buy that ticket has never got in the way of me seeing her and enjoying her company. Our spiritual relationships with God should be the same way. We should look forward to our alone time with our God, praying to him and giving him the attention that he desires. He is our source so money should not be an issue with God providing us with what we need. Our time in communion with him or with the gathering of the saints is important along with our daily, individual time which is necessary for spiritual growth.

So while I am working or doing his will for my life in the earth, I am in anticipation of Jesus Christ return! Are you? Do you long to see his face and experience eternity in Heaven with him? Just as the Groom stands at the alter in anticipation of seeing his Bride for the first time in holy matrimony, I long to see King Jesus.

My hope is in the Lord and we have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure (Hebrews 6:19-20) when the “seas of life makes us feel hopeless.”

So as we approach the holiday season, we will anticipate the presence of friends and family. Some will show up and some will not. We will hope to receive certain gifts under the tree during Christmas time and right before New Years, many people make “New Years Resolutions” that are a list of goals they wish to accomplish for the upcoming year, and that’s fine, but may I make a suggestion? Submit your life and your list, your anxiety and your anticipation to the one who created this earth and the fullness thereof (Psalm 24:1)…Jesus…our great hope who brings peace that will surpass all understanding through this season in our lives now and forever more.

Merry Christmas!