I Can’t Wait!
And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. Psalm 39:7
You have said it. You have thought it. Any young person you have near you has also said it – “I Can’t Wait!” We can get excited over many things in life. Looking forward with expectations of good things is natural.
“I can’t wait to see if the Yankees win.” “I can’t wait for the basketball season to start.” “I can’t wait until the medicine or treatment helps me to feel better.” “I can’t wait until school is out.” “I can’t wait until our wedding day!” “I Can’t wait until I see Jesus.” Or my favorite: “I can’t wait until…. dinner!” These are common examples.
Make you own “I can’t wait” statement: I can’t wait _____ _______ ________.
What if we changed our thinking and our perspective a little bit? Instead of focusing on an event, situation, or outcome, what if we placed our expectation in a person? Not a spouse (or fiancée). Not a promotion, start of a season, or outcome of a game. What if our expectation was in Jesus?
In the 13 short verses of Psalm 39, David portrays his need for the Lord. He declares that his hope is in the Lord. He mentions controlling his tongue, sorrow, anger, his physical frailty, the vanity of most men, deliverance from evil, the judgment of God, praying to the Lord, and recovering strength in moments of weakness. He covers a lot of topics in this short chapter! Right in the middle, in verse 7 he says: “What wait I for?” It is a good question! If our hope, expectation, satisfaction and fulfillment is completed in Jesus, what are we really looking forward to in life? What more can a Christian have if Jesus is truly his “All in All.”
I believe that we should have healthy expectations. We should be looking ahead and be forward thinking in our mind. At the same time, while we are looking forward to events and outcomes, we must realize that true fulfillment, peace, and satisfaction does not come from the Yankees winning. Real satisfaction is not found in relationship, events, or outcomes – but in Christ.
This is what the Apostle Paul meant when he wrote in Colossians 2:10: “And ye are complete in him…” While the “I can’t wait” things may be good, Jesus is the best. What more can we find in life if we do not place our hope in Jesus and Jesus alone? The answer is nothing. Without Jesus at the center of our life, decisions, and personal satisfaction for living, we will not find true purpose or meaning for life.
The next time you say: “I can’t wait…” look ahead to Jesus for a moment and remind yourself how He is the ultimate goal we are looking for. Find your fulfillment and completion in Him.
EDC Christian 