Anticipation

 Expectancy, excitement, suspense. These are all synonyms to the word ‘Anticipation’. This word, as the dictionary says, is ‘the action of anticipating something; expectation or prediction.’ And since I love writing poems about feelings and phrases that don’t usually end up in poems, I wrote this one, brilliantly titled as the obvious: Anticipation. The excerpt below is the first and last verses of the composition: 

Anticipation is a young child in bed on Christmas Eve. 

Anticipation is the next wave as you grasp your sea-washed surfboard. 

Anticipation is waiting for the sun to start setting with a ring in your pocket. 

Anticipation is the blow that never comes. 

Anticipation is in your car with your puppy running wild outside. 

Anticipation is the last friend to arrive at the theater. 

Anticipation is the effect slowly playing out in front of you. 

Anticipation is the leaves in autumn red, and yellow, and gold. 

When I wrote this poem, I felt like something was missing. Nothing particularly thrilling stood out as I ended it, and as I knew anticipation was much, much more, that ending this free-verse with a shimmery hue wasn’t going to cut it.  

Anticipation is a tricky thing, is it not? You find yourself wondering about the effect. You’ve struck the first domino in the chain, and, if everything goes as planned, the chain will fall in perfect fashion, ending with a clank! 

Of course, that domino might not hit the next. It could stall and discontinue the chain, and then your beautiful black-and-white masterpiece is suddenly frozen in horrific technicolor. You can only hope for the best.

Revelation 3:3 says, “Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.”

When we listen to the news or podcast about the things happening around the world – disease spreading, government instability, unjust rulings – it can be hard not to wish the thief could come sooner.

God grants us peace about the future – he knows our plans before we do, and He sees our restlessness. For me, it’s hard knowing that people who can change this world can’t – or won’t – and yet, when I want to, but am unable. It leaves a queasy, anxious feeling in my stomach, and I wonder why God doesn’t just begin the domino effect He portrays in Revelation. 

Many people believe that anticipation is worse than the effect playing out in front of you. I’d almost say they are right – though, that in no means makes the effect it causes dim in comparison to the thrill of waiting, especially when the second coming of Christ is at stake. We’ve been waiting in excitement for Him to return – anticipation is only half the delight. 

As I write this, I can’t help but laugh as my mind goes to the ride at Disney World I rode when I went with my family a few years ago. It’sThe Hollywood Tower of Terror. 

If you’ve ridden this ride before, you know that once you travel through this strange old hotel and climb aboard this creepy, dilapidated elevator, you travel upwards at fascinating speed. The hair on your back stands up, and you know something is about to happen.
A window in front of you opens up, and you see a spectacular view of the park below. Caught in the scenery, you hear a click! and the elevator gives way: you fall. 

Now, do you feel more excited when you're traveling up in a rickety elevator or when the tension gives way and you finally get the great plummet over with?

See where I’m going here?

Anticipation is an incredible thing – God created it, and therefore it’s good. He gave it to us as a free gift – the gift of suspense and waiting for the best, knowing that something is coming, something… extraordinary. 

It’s knowing that peace will reign forevermore, forevermore, that all wrongs will be made right, that all wickedness will be eternally vanquished. That’s the gift – the gift that all will be made new. 

That word appears nine times in Revelation –  Jesus saying that there will be a new name, a new song, a new heaven and earth, a new Jerusalem – all things will be made new.  

Until then, however, all we can do is wait and do our best to fight.

Anticipation is a tricky subject, and I hope I’ve covered it well, for while the dictionary can define it, God means for all things to have a deeper – a meaning that ultimately points to Him. It's this meaning that sparked the last verse of my poem;

Anticipation is the coming of Jesus Christ.

Let no more be said.