“Anticipation ignites a thrill in the present caused by nothing more than a possibility in the future.”

A thought by Erwin Raphael McManus, (2006-11-14) from his book, Soul Cravings: An Exploration of the Human Spirit (p. 90). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

I have a friend who can look at a menu and taste each item on it in anticipation. He can enjoy his food without eating it. His food pallet is that refined.

Have you ever stood in a line to ride a rollercoaster? Now you were either scared to death or excited and ho you anticipated it went a long way to whether your thrill was exciting or not.

I was watching the US Open in golf this past weekend and Phil Mickelson was looking at a very difficult shot that he had to make and he was picturing or anticipating the outcome. Now many people would look at the shot and anticipate missing it and of course they would. But Phil was anticipating how he was going to make it. He didn’t make it but it was an impossible shot and he came very close.

I read a Psalm every day in the Old Testament in the Bible. David is one of the main writers and I like how he faces some of the negatives that he had in his life. Usually he started the Psalm with a lament but he then gets to focusing on God and who He is and his anticipation changes to encouragement. He anticipated how his situation will be with God in it and it changed his whole attitude.

It is amazing how my anticipation changes when I focus on the fact that God is good and that He is in my life. That is one of the great benefits that I have because of my relationship with Him. I can start each day with a thrill of anticipation of the possibilities because God is in my life.

So what are you anticipating?

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