Surprise visits have not always been my idea of a good time. There was always a sense of dread, a lack of control of the situation, and a possibility of being “caught” doing something I thought I shouldn’t be doing. If I knew someone was coming that I really didn’t want to see and who wouldn’t give me an exact day or time, my anxiety level went through the roof–it was like a real-life game of Jack-in-the-box, I knew it was coming but didn’t know when, and always, the POP was more scary than the actual event.
At one time I felt that way about God’s visits as well. What if I was caught slacking off or doing something I thought I shouldn’t be doing (I had a long list of things I shouldn’t be doing), or what if . . . However, once I began to KNOW Jesus more I began to realize that the more I anticipated and looked for His showing up the more I experienced His showing up and it was way more enjoyable than I’d ever thought. I began to realize He was truly interested in my life and situations and instead of fearing a situation I began to thank Him for the situation and look for–anticipate–how He was going to “POP UP” into the situation and take care of it. The more I looked to Jesus throughout my day and stopped focusing on the “outcome” of my day, the more joy I experienced and the more relaxed I became. Living off my checklist hurrying from one insignificant “important thing” to another in my day has now turned into a slower pace, allowing me to have relationships and finding that often, that’s where Jesus shows up. They are unexpected “God appointments.”
Life in anticipation of Jesus is like being a child again, being left to be watched over by your favorite “baby-sitter,” playing peek-a-boo, treasure hunting, building forts . . .you are fully engaged and fully aware–enjoying your moments. Become a child again . . . Anticipate the “POP.”