Anxious with Anticipation

Journal 2005 03 19
Anxious with Anticipation

A light snow falls last night and the temperature doesn’t rise to freezing today. Winter wind reminds the men it still owns the season. Yet anticipation and preparation for departure drive the men to continued activity. And we should never lose site of the fact that the Corps of Discovery was a military unit on what we would call a recon mission. Although never directly stated, President Jefferson knew that those who established relationships and trade with the Indian tribes would control the west.

Military discipline, good order and drills were still part of their daily life.

Indian visitors tell of war brewing upstream. Many of the local braves have left camp to make war against those who are coming against them. Always better to wage war away from home in my opinion.

An Indian father and mother bring a sick young son to Captain Clark with an ailment. Clark treats him. No diagnosis is recorded.

Today, knowing what challenges lay ahead of them, we wonder what their big hurry was to hit the trail. Ice is still in the river and the Rocky Mountains lay ahead of them. Once they break camp we know at some point snow is likely to be in the mountains for some time obstructing their way. WE know that. They didn’t.

In addition, human nature is always ready to move on. And these men are no different. We will see a year from now that the party leaves the camp at the mouth of the Columbia River one full month before nature will allow passage. Anticipation. We need it. It helps drive us. It fosters dreams. Anticipation needs to be under jurisdiction because it can deceive us in spite of its good intentions.

I anticipate the sparkling eyes, extended arms and warm kiss of my bride as I turn toward home. Anticipation drives me to my destination, the place where she awaits. Powerful stuff anticipation.

Are you anticipating something great? Are you hoping that it will come quickly? Then you are in good company.

The fullness of God’s revelation of Himself in the Scriptures is summed in John’s call to Jesus to “come quickly”. And still we anticipate His coming as we make disciples and occupy until He returns. Like the men of the Corps of Discovery two hundred years ago we are full of anticipation and ready to go. And yet if follow His leadership not our human desires we reach the destination He has chosen.

Is your heart anxious with anticipation? That is good. Is it so anxious that it has moved out from under God’s command and taken its own path to fulfilling its desires? Then stop, find your way back under His command and wait for His command to move out as you follow Him knowing the expedition has only stopped for winter, not forever.